Ask HN: Lean Validation of AI Startups

Hi, I'm Software Engineer building AI projects for almost four years. I've been wanting to start selling AI products to businesses but I don't know how to validate an idea quickly, without spending time/money developing a demo.

For example, I think that a software for the construction industry that uses cameras to detect if the workers are using the proper security equipment would be a good and useful product. I can ask and then find someone from a potential company that could be interested in this kind of product.

The problem is what to show to this potential client in order to get a deal. I could develop a demo, but I think it's too expensive to build a good model. If I want to test another usecase (for example, house floor identification for real estate) I'd then have to build a model for that.

Do you have experience on this industry doing something similar to what I describe? What are you doing to validate quickly if an idea is good or not?

Maybe a good way would be to start working as a consultant/freelancer, validating demand for a product this way. But that is a slower path and you need time to work as a consultant/freelancer.