AI is a Feature, Not a Strategy

[#1]

If your days in the tech industry stack up like lines of code, you've watched the rise and fall of many a "next big thing." And in recent times, the buzz around AI could make you think it's the secret ingredient to transform any app into the next unicorn. But here is what every marketplace vendor needs to realize: AI is not a strategy, it’s a feature.

The Shiny New Toy in the Atlassian Marketplace

You've surely noticed the trend—apps touting AI as if it's the philosopher's stone of tech. Yet, often, these "AI-powered" features are just a fancy front for services like OpenAI.

The Atlassian marketplace is competitive. There are thousands of apps. Few gaps that haven't been filled. A weekend's worth of AI tinkering won't cut it. You need more than just a shiny veneer.

AI With Purpose

I'm not throwing shade at AI; when it's applied thoughtfully, it can transform the way we work. For Released, the journey began with zero AI. We honed in on a sore spot for developers and technical writers and product marketers—the cumbersome process of writing release notes.

Our focus was improving the workflow. Removing as much friction as possible. Reducing the time it takes to write an update from hours to minutes.

Once we had that down, we brought in AI—not as a gimmick, but to further reduce friction. Now, our app doesn't just generate release notes; it adapts to the diverse ways teams use Jira, customizing prompts and fine-tuning outputs for every issue type. It's AI, yes—but AI that's woven into the fabric of a robust solution.

Human-Centric Edge

What makes Released shine isn't just the AI; it's our approach to users workflows. We've made the daunting task of creating and sharing release notes as simple as a drag-and-drop. This isn't just about generating some copy; it's about understanding and addressing the real issues our users face—which is reflected by the feedback we are getting from our customers.

Where many Atlassian marketplace apps stumble is in overestimating AI's role. Strategy is vision, direction, tough calls—it's the blueprint. And AI? It's a tool in the toolbox, effective only when wielded with precision.

So, here's how you should navigate AI in the Atlassian ecosystem:

• Identify the real pain points, the ones that disrupt workflows and productivity.
• Build a process that directly solves these pain points.
• Enhance that process with AI, making sure it adds tangible value.

AI is not the be-all and end-all—it's a powerful piece that can boost an already effective solution. The apps that integrate AI into a comprehensive vision centered around customer needs are the ones that rise to the top.

In Conclusion

AI is impressive, sure, but it's not a surrogate for strategy and real product differentiation. It's a lever to elevate what you're already doing well. At Released, we've nailed down the essentials and polished every detail. Our success is rooted in improving robust workflows with strategic AI integration—not the reverse.

[Adam Ahmed]

Well put, Jens! You can't eat much with just a knife, and you can't solve much with just AI! I'm glad we're giving our users a full set of utensils!

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

AI is a massive breakthrough. But throwing an AI dart randomly at a board doesn't often lead to a useful nor profitable tool.

This is a great article that puts AI business models into context:

Excuse me, but the industries AI is disrupting are not lucrative

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

I completely agree. AI is a powerful tool, but currently, it should be viewed as an enhancement rather than a standalone solution. It's not a magical fix that can replace thoughtful strategy and genuine product differentiation. Instead, AI should be integrated into an existing framework that is centered around understanding and meeting customer needs. This approach allows AI to complement and amplify what's already working well within an organization.

At the core of this perspective lies the recognition that AI should serve as a tool to support and enhance what we do best.  AI will become a vital part of a broader strategy focused on customer satisfaction and business success.

[Dave Rosenlund _Trundl_]

What they ( 👆 ) said / no need to repeat it.

Thank your for contributing this, @Jens Schumacher - Released_so !