The 'Temu-phenomenon' of digital development is a real danger if quality starts to slide.

AI is in many ways that famous silver bullet in software development: increasingly, AI agents can be utilized in different roles, such as in design, coding and testing. A dangerous illusion is that a corresponding speed leap is assumed to happen directly also in, for example, service design and planning. Instead of AI being sought only for efficiency, savings and speed benefits, it brings the opportunity to invest even more in the early stages of digital service development. One of the less-discussed benefits of AI is indeed that time and effort are freed up for, for example, setting business goals, more precise requirements specifications and more holistic planning. In these critical phases it is decided whether "quick quality" or prime quality is created.

Organizations must choose: do they want to bring only bulk goods to market, or do they invest in something of higher quality, more distinctive, and bringing real competitive advantage?

In the age of AI, human design, creativity and business understanding are more significant competitive advantages than ever before. Although AI supports these phases, creating a completely new, high-quality and distinctive digital service still requires human thinking, joint planning and high goals. The question is also whether digital development is seen only as a production machine or as a strategic engine of competitiveness, business and distinctiveness. In the age of AI, the winners of digital development are indeed those organizations that understand how to shift their focus and investments from mere coding efficiency to the early stages of development: to where real value and distinctiveness are created.

This article was originally published in Talouselämä (In Finnish).