a16z's Josh Elman: AI collapsed the cost of building, not of knowing what to build
sidahuj · x · 2026-09-16
a16z partner Josh Elman sparked discussion by arguing that AI has collapsed the cost of building products, but not the cost of knowing what to build. The old loop of spec → scope → build is giving way to build → play → design → ship, making prototypes nearly free. Great products still require taste, judgment, and a clear understanding of user needs — "good designers have always done the right one."
Related event: a16z: AI Cuts Build Costs, Not Product Judgment Costs(3 posts)→
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