Summary in Plain Language
This news article highlights the most acute contradictions in the current AI startup scene: on one hand, the frequency and duration of AI usage by ordinary users are still experiencing explosive growth; on the other hand, independent AI product creators are being squeezed between large model manufacturers at the top of the industry chain and giant traffic platforms at the bottom. The era when a simple AI-related tool could attract tens of thousands of users by capitalizing on a trending topic is over. Huxiu organized a closed-door meeting, accessible only to industry insiders, where they discussed these issues without the usual pretense of having guests showcase their products. Participants from various AI startup backgrounds and investors came together to address a key question: how can independent AI products, without the backing of major companies, survive and achieve stable growth while generating real profits?
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Detailed Explanation
1. The "two-sided pressure" faced by independent AI entrepreneurs
Imagine the AI industry as a small restaurant:
- The large model manufacturers (such as OpenAI and Kimi) are like a free food court, offering popular services like "AI code writing," "AI research," and "AI note organization." Now, they have made these services available for free right at the entrance of the food court, so users don't even need to visit your restaurant.
- The giant platforms (like DouBao and QianWen) are like large shopping malls in the city center. In 2026, DouBao alone had 382 million monthly active users, and 80% of all AI-related traffic is directed to these platforms. Users first think of using these platforms when looking for AI functions, not the independent AI apps on their phones.
It's like running a small restaurant with a free-food court to the left and a bustling mall to the right, significantly increasing the difficulty of survival.
2. The seemingly rapid growth in AI user numbers actually indicates a shift in the industry
The news provides impressive figures: in 2026, the total monthly active users of AI native apps approached 500 million, a year-on-year increase of 85%, with both the frequency and duration of AI usage rising by over 40%. However, this doesn't mean it's easy to attract new users with just an AI product. The industry has moved from a "trial period" to a "practical period." In the past, users would try any AI-related app just because of the novelty. Now, they only use apps that truly solve their problems and are willing to pay for them. This is similar to the early days of the shared bicycle industry, where anyone could use a bike without caring about the experience. Now, companies must compete on quality of service and convenience.
3. The three crucial questions that independent AI entrepreneurs are struggling with, for which there are no clear answers
No industry leader can guarantee success with certainty. The main questions are:
- Will my product's core features become free with future updates from large models? For example, if you spent half a year developing an AI tool for organizing meeting notes, and GPT improves this feature for free, your investment would be wasted.
- How can I attract targeted users without relying on major platforms? Users are now on platforms like DouBao and WeChat, making it ten times harder to get them to download your app.
- How can I turn a one-time use tool into something users can't live without and are willing to pay for?
The industry has split into two paths: some focus on specific use cases, while others integrate their products as plugins within large models. These experiences are not discussed publicly.
4. Why this closed-door meeting attracted industry leaders
Unlike typical AI events, this meeting didn't feature guest speeches about product features. Instead, it brought together people from different fields to exchange practical insights. For instance, creators of AI content generation and enterprise AI services discussed effective marketing strategies and the profitability of integrating their products into platforms. Investors were interested in user retention and profit margins, not just the number of active users. Such information is typically kept confidential and can only be discussed in closed circles.
5. The next year will shape the AI industry, and now is the last chance to secure a position
The AI industry is still in a phase of consolidation. The first independent AI applications that survive will not be replaced by large models and will have their own loyal user bases, generating revenue. For example, specialized AI tools for lawyers or e-commerce designers are not yet dominated by large models. Relevant professionals are eager to share their experiences to seize this opportunity.