Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation tool, shut down entirely on Monday. The product let users automate email and task workflows using AI agents, but as OpenAI, Google, and other larger platforms built similar automation directly into their own tools, five-year-old Relay struggled to hold on to a reason to exist as a stand-alone product.
Even the biggest players aren’t immune. OpenAI, one of the most valuable private companies in the world, has had its own share of casualties and missteps. One of the more recent examples was its attempt to turn ChatGPT into a broader “super app.” The redesign quickly drew criticism from users who found the new interface confusing and cluttered, and OpenAI rolled back the change soon after.
Apple's delayed Siri AI is another example. When Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence in 2024, an improved Siri was one of the highlighted features. However, Apple repeatedly pushed back the release of the new Siri, citing various reasons like engineering issues and bugs. This delay eventually contributed to a $250 million settlement over claims regarding how Apple marketed the AI capabilities of the iPhone 16.
Other notable examples include Microsoft's Recall feature, which was pitched as an AI-powered “photographic memory” for Windows PCs but was delayed due to privacy and security concerns. Notion Mail, an AI-focused email product, is scheduled to shut down on September 22 after users began using separate AI agents to handle their email inboxes instead.
The Humane AI Pin, a wearable device designed to provide AI features, struggled with performance and was shut down in February 2025. The Rabbit R1, an AI companion device, was unveiled at CES in January 2024 but received poor reviews due to its unreliable performance and limited integrations.
These examples illustrate the challenges and risks involved in developing and launching AI products. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more projects and startups that don't make it, but their failures can provide valuable lessons for the rest of the industry.
Cet article a été rédigé avec l'assistance de l'IA.
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