AI-first is API-first: buy software your agents can operate. Agents work the APIs, humans verify on screens — a three-question buying test for the agentic era.
The point about every stack having two users now is exactly where my own tool selection has shifted. I care much less about the visible AI button and much more about whether my agents can reach the underlying system through a clean interface. I've almost never used the built in sparkle layer, but I notice immediately when an API is too narrow for real work.
Evaluating software based on its built-in 'sparkle icon' features is a dead end; the true value of modern SaaS lies in robust API architecture and MCP servers that treat autonomous AI agents as first-class users alongside humans.
AI is indeed transforming the software landscape. Focusing on APIs over built-in features is a smart move. This shift will enhance efficiency and allow for better collaboration between humans and AI. Exciting times ahead.
This is a useful buying test because it’s boring in the right way.
“Does it have AI?” is how you end up paying extra for a chatbot bolted to a cupboard.
“Can my tools actually use this thing without me babysitting it?” is much closer to the real question.
😂😂 love the analogy - of a chatbot bolted to a cupboard. That's about how useful a lot of these AI features developed over the past few years are
The point about every stack having two users now is exactly where my own tool selection has shifted. I care much less about the visible AI button and much more about whether my agents can reach the underlying system through a clean interface. I've almost never used the built in sparkle layer, but I notice immediately when an API is too narrow for real work.
Evaluating software based on its built-in 'sparkle icon' features is a dead end; the true value of modern SaaS lies in robust API architecture and MCP servers that treat autonomous AI agents as first-class users alongside humans.
Screens for humans, apis for agents is such a clean way to put it, love this.
If a tool doesn't have a clean API or a solid MCP server, it's essentially locking out half of the modern workforce.
AI is indeed transforming the software landscape. Focusing on APIs over built-in features is a smart move. This shift will enhance efficiency and allow for better collaboration between humans and AI. Exciting times ahead.
I honestly believe AI has completely changed the entire software industry, crazy times!