In a recent LinkedIn post, Luís Rodrigues challenges the prevalent narrative surrounding Artificial Intelligence adoption, arguing that the widespread perception of AI integration is significantly inflated by social media echo chambers. Rodrigues contends that the reality for most of the global population is far from the cutting-edge adoption often showcased online.
Challenging the AI Adoption Narrative
Luís Rodrigues, writing on LinkedIn, presents a starkly different picture of AI usage than what might be gleaned from a typical social media feed. He highlights a significant disconnect between the discussions happening on platforms like LinkedIn and the actual adoption rates among the general populace. Rodrigues points out that the focus on advanced AI tools, such as coding agents, by a vocal minority creates a skewed perception of widespread adoption.
According to Rodrigues, the vast majority of people have not yet deeply engaged with generative AI. He breaks down the adoption landscape with specific figures:
“71% have never touched generative AI.
28% use free chatbots.
1% pay for a subscription.
0.14% use coding agents. Twelve million people.”
This data suggests that while discussions about AI models, the future of SaaS, and complex AI concepts are rife on professional networks, the foundational steps of AI adoption are still in their infancy for most.
The True Frontier of AI Growth
Rodrigues argues that the real opportunity and the future prize in AI development lie not in serving the already-converted early adopters but in bringing the next wave of users into the fold. He emphasizes that the focus should shift from optimizing for the few already at the technological frontier to enabling billions to move from never having tried AI to a point where they cannot imagine working without it.
Identifying the Untapped Market
The author urges readers to consider the AI-naïve individuals in their own networks, posing the question: “Who around you still hasn’t tried AI?” This rhetorical question underscores his central thesis – that the market for AI adoption is still largely untapped. As Luís Rodrigues notes, the perception of saturation is an illusion:
“Spend your days on LinkedIn, and it feels like everyone is running agents and rewiring how they work, but they are not.”
This perspective is crucial for businesses and developers. Rodrigues suggests that building for the masses who are just beginning their AI journey, rather than solely for the niche group already deeply integrated with advanced tools, represents a far greater growth potential.
A Call for Realistic Expectations
Luís Rodrigues concludes that the current moment is not one of being late to the AI revolution but rather of being exceptionally early. He advocates for a more grounded understanding of AI adoption, encouraging a focus on the foundational steps required to bring the next billion users into the AI ecosystem. In his view:
“The prize is not one more improvement for the few already at the frontier. It is moving the next few billion from never tried it, to tried it, to cannot work without it.”
Rodrigues plans to continue exploring AI agents and emerging workflows in his weekly newsletter, “Build What Matters,” inviting interested readers to subscribe for deeper insights into this evolving landscape.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Luís Rodrigues on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 13, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →