AI-Native
The Hype Spiral
Also known as: Hype Spiral
AI product built on technology excitement rather than validated user need, collapsing when dopamine fades.
The Hype Spiral is the most seductive AI death. The product launches to massive excitement, racks up waitlist signups, gets the TechCrunch headline—and then collapses almost instantly. It happens when a team builds an AI product based on the excitement around technology rather than a validated user need. The initial dopamine rush fades quickly. Users try the product, find it doesn't solve a real problem significantly better than existing tools, and leave. No genuine value means no reason to stick around.