AI Moat Analysis
The base model layer is commoditising fast. Any competitor can call the same API you do. The question for every AI PM is: where is the defensible value? This skill identifies the moat types available to your specific product and designs the investments that widen each one.
Context
The six AI moat types:
| Moat type | What it is | How hard to replicate |
|---|---|---|
| Data moat | Proprietary training or feedback data | High — takes years |
| Workflow moat | Deep embedding in user's daily workflow | High — requires long-term adoption |
| Network moat | More users = better product for everyone | Very high — requires scale |
| Integration moat | Connections to user's existing tools | Medium — requires enterprise cycles |
| Expertise moat | Proprietary domain knowledge in prompts/fine-tunes | Medium — can be replicated |
| Brand/trust moat | Users trust this product with sensitive data | Medium — slow to build, fast to destroy |
Step 1 — Define the product context
Assess: what the product does, who the users are, what data is generated through use, how deeply embedded in workflow, switching cost, top 3 competitors.
Step 2 — Score moat types (0–3)
Score current position and 12-month potential for each moat type. Total score out of 18.
Step 3 — Deep-dive on top two moats
Data moat: What proprietary data do you generate? Why can't a competitor replicate it? What investment widens it? Workflow moat: Where in daily workflow does the product live? What context only your product can see? What is the switching cost? Network moat: Does more usage by one user improve the product for others? What threshold activates the network effect?Step 4 — Assess competitor moats
Score each competitor on the same framework. Identify where you lead and where you're vulnerable.
Step 5 — Build the moat investment roadmap
Quality check before delivering
Every moat claim is specific — not "we have better AI"
Current score is honest — not aspirational
Competitor moats assessed — not just your own
Roadmap includes "what not to invest in"
12-month milestone defined for primary moat
Suggested next step: Stress-test every investment: "If our top competitor prioritised this for one sprint, could they match it?" If yes, it's not a moat — it's table stakes.