People want the process, not the polish: Building trust in an AI-driven world

There’s no denying it—AI tools have changed the landscape for creators and founders. The era in which developers held all the cards is over.

With coding tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Replit, and others, anyone can build almost anything. Now, differentiation doesn’t come from the ability to code—it comes from the ability to build trust, tell a compelling story, and bring people into the journey.

When everyone can create, the focus shifts from what you’re making to who is making it and how they engage. Trust is becoming the core currency in this new environment. It’s not enough to churn out content or launch products; the real value lies in who can build a genuine connection. That means showing up with empathy, admitting mistakes, and having the self-awareness to not take yourself too seriously. Trust isn’t something you announce; it’s something you earn—day by day, interaction by interaction.

When a community sees authenticity, it doesn’t just watch. It rallies. It invests. This is the foundation of what I’m calling “trust-onomics,” where trust drives growth and loyalty in ways code or product never could.

This is also why “building in public” is more than a trend—it’s becoming a baseline expectation. People want to see the process, not just the polished end product. When creators share openly—both wins and losses—they’re not just showcasing their work; they’re inviting others to be a part of it. This isn’t without its challenges. There’s a fear of looking unpolished, of having ideas stolen, or of failing publicly.

Yet, these fears are precisely what make a journey worth following.

They humanize the creator. And when you let your audience in on the process, they don’t just become spectators—they become participants. They root for you, share your story, and invest emotionally in your success.

But with all the speed AI tools bring, there’s a downside. Everyone can iterate quickly, which means ideas are more disposable, and noise is everywhere. The creative edge lies in having a clear vision and knowing when to filter out distractions. Not every piece of feedback needs to be acted on, and not every trend needs to be followed. The creators who stand out are those who know when to listen and when to stick to their own course.

With code and products becoming easier to replicate, traditional pricing models are also under pressure. In this new AI world of democratized code and ideas, people won’t find it appealing to pay for products alone—they’ll want to pay for access, community, and a sense of belonging. The future of value creation is moving toward creators as curators, as tastemakers, as leaders who can gather people around a shared vision. Subscribers and followers want to feel they’re part of something bigger, something that aligns with their values and beliefs. That kind of connection—rooted in trust, authenticity, and shared purpose—is far more difficult to replicate than code.

The barriers to entry have dropped, but the challenge to build real, meaningful connections is higher than ever. The future will favor those who can cultivate trust, communicate openly, and build a story that people want to be a part of—not just watch from the sidelines.