Cargo Cult AI
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
Cargo cult AI is adding AI to your product because every competitor is, without a clear reason. A chatbot that nobody uses. A 'summarize' button nobody clicks. AI sprinkles over a spreadsheet. Looks modern. Helps no one.
Real Talk
Cargo cult AI is the superficial adoption of AI features driven by market pressure rather than user value. Symptoms: AI buttons added to every screen, chatbots replacing working UI, AI features with no measured engagement. Contrasts with integrated AI that solves specific user problems. Often leads to AI hangover and churn.
When You'll Hear This
"Your AI strategy is cargo cult AI — what's the actual use case?" / "Strip the cargo cult AI. Users don't want a summarize button."
Related Terms
AI Hangover
An AI hangover is the morning-after realization when you look at the code you vibe-coded yesterday and have absolutely no idea how it works. It runs.
Prompt Cargo Cult
Prompt cargo cult is blindly copying prompt tricks because you saw them on Twitter — 'Think step by step', 'You are an expert', 'Take a deep breath' — with...