Teams burn AI budget when they ask one artifact to do three jobs. Name the evidence you need, then buy the matching artifact.
Three different jobs
Prototype
Job: make the idea visible and discussable.
Success looks like stakeholders understanding the concept and reacting to flows—not production readiness.
AI proof of Concept (PoC)
Job: test the riskiest assumption with criteria you can fail.
Success looks like a documented go / no-go on feasibility, quality, latency, cost-to-serve, or user value under realistic constraints.
MVP
Job: put a usable product in front of the market to prove demand or learning.
Success looks like usage, retention, willingness to pay, or another business signal—not a model accuracy chart alone.
Decision table
| If you need… | Buy… | Do not buy… |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment on the idea | Prototype | Production architecture |
| Confidence the AI approach works | AI PoC | Full product roadmap |
| Proof customers care | MVP | Another internal demo |
| Both tech risk and market risk | PoC then MVP | One mega "AI MVP" |
How Concept Lab fits
Concept Lab is built for the PoC job: time-boxed AI and emerging-tech validation with evidence strong enough to build, wait, or cut.
When the PoC says go and the next question is demand, hand off to MVP Builders.
Related: technology proof of concept guide and validate before building an MVP.
