Unhappy disappointed AI founder needs advice

The most underrated skill in any business is human management. I don't want to disregard the opinions that others share on your tech capabilities and it's leverage, but I reckon it isn't about that as much as it is about harmony. There's an old idiom that says ants come to places where there's sweetness. As co founders give birth to their "baby", there's ought to be "sweetness" which gets marred by the so called ants.

Also, when you say that your co founder doesn't have the skills that's needed, you probably were wrong on teaming up with them. Or they probably think the same about you and/or both of you are utterly wrong. At the end of the day, if you ought to bring forth a successful business, you need to manage people. And this my friend, is just a start.

Talk to them with your heart. Heal your workplace because that's where founders live. And reignite the passion with which both of you started things.

At least give it another push and if the universe still wants you to fail and learn, I'm sure there's be some other better plans.

Good luck

Cheers!

Simple answer, yes; Most startups that I worked in had founders who were deeply interested in their mission, and embraced the ambiguity (and also at time acknowledging that things aren't where you'd want them to be). One of the startups that I worked in failed spectacularly because of a simple reason -> the CEO didn't get along with any other CxOs, eventually all CxOs parted ways and the CEO then started alienating the investors as well (mind you, the investors actually had some solid plans to help the company bridge its runway). Touch base with your co-founder and ask him/her that is there anyone else who would like to step in (transition might take some time); if you've decide its not working then best is to liquidate everything and give money back to investors

I think this is your co-founder: https://share.gvine.app/MzvRPZMcZ2LWDNKK9

On a serious note. Honestly, two people thrive in building:

1. People who have an unending passion for what they're doing
2. People who just strive in pain and hence will chase money till they lose all health

If you don't feel in either buckets - you should not do it.

The fact that you've reached this point means you need a break. Maybe first take a week to think things. But then take a call. Don't be stuck with the wrong thing for too long.

AI season is not yet started still but let me know how you raised funds cause I am working in Biosense AI domain

Having gone through a similar phase before, with all the stress culminating in a panic attack, I feel I can share my experience and insights.

A startup essentially exists to test certain hypotheses or sets of assumptions, both external (like market demand, venture capital interest, revenue potential, etc.) and internal (such as the roles and responsibilities of each founder, assumptions about founders' skills and capabilities, etc.).

As you proceed, you continuously validate these assumptions against rapidly changing conditions, such as shifts in the AI market, waning investor interest, or the actual impact of your product on the problem or need it aims to address. This also involves reassessing internal assumptions.

As we all know, 9 out of 10 startups fail, making success the anomaly. It's quite common for startups to shut down, so if yours fails, it was the most likely outcome.

We're also aware that there are more factors influencing a startup's success or failure that are beyond the founders' control than within it. Therefore, failure isn't solely the founders' fault.

From my perspective, your internal assumptions have not held up, and the external market has changed drastically. Shutting down under these circumstances is perfectly normal. Taking a break and preparing for your next venture is a wise move. Each startup failure provides founders with valuable lessons for their future endeavors.

So, don't worry too much. Just shut it down and take a break. Given the current situation, your startup isn't likely to grow.

Look for a business where ai cannot disrupt. Chaiwala, samosewala, wada pav, misal pav, sugarcane juice centre...

Your technical skill is your greatest leverage. If you still believe in the idea, you have the power to turn things around.

Startups thrive when there’s a balance between vision and execution—one fuels the dream, the other makes it real. If you and your co-founder can align, growth will follow naturally.

To make things smoother:

1. Clarify roles – Be honest about strengths and gaps. If something isn’t working, realign rather than resist.

2. Expand wisely – A strong core team (Ops, Sales, Marketing) can ease your load and push things forward.

3. Communicate openly – Silence breeds frustration. Address misalignment before it drains your energy further.

But if your heart isn’t in it anymore, forcing yourself will only make things worse. If leaving feels right, do it thoughtfully—help your co-founder and investors with a smooth transition so that the company can continue without disruption.

Whatever you decide, make it a choice, not an escape.

Do you have revenue or still exploring/figuring out the product?

Keep going.

I'm a founder in AI too and I resonate with this post so much! Happy to lend you an ear to talk through it