Quoting Josh W. Comeau

2026-07-03 · Source: Simon Willison's Weblog · Field: Business & Management — Entrepreneurship & Start-ups, Human Resources & Workforce Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Course creator Josh W. Comeau reported on July 3rd, 2026, a substantial decline in sales for his online courses, including his newly launched "Whimsical Animations," which sold only one-third as many copies as typical launches. He noted a similar trend for his existing courses, with sales significantly down from the previous year. Comeau attributes this downturn primarily to the impact of AI, identifying a "double whammy." First, developers are hesitant to invest in new skills due to uncertainty about future job security in an AI-driven landscape. Second, large language models (LLMs) now offer personalized tutoring, diminishing the perceived value of paid courses. He also confirmed this trend with other course creators, who are experiencing revenue drops exceeding 50% and reduced content engagement, citing LLMs' uncompensated use of their work.

Key takeaway

For online course creators and digital content entrepreneurs, you must urgently reassess your business models given AI's disruptive impact. Your potential customers are hesitant to invest in new skills due to job market uncertainty, and LLMs now offer free, personalized learning alternatives. This shift necessitates exploring new value propositions beyond traditional course sales, potentially focusing on community, unique experiences, or specialized, AI-resistant niches to mitigate significant revenue declines.

Key insights

AI's dual impact on developer job uncertainty and LLM-based tutoring is significantly disrupting online course sales.

Principles

• AI creates job market uncertainty.
• LLMs offer free personalized learning.
• Content creators face uncompensated use.

In practice

• Re-evaluate online course business models.
• Explore new content monetization strategies.
• Address AI's impact on skill acquisition.

Topics

• Online Course Market
• AI Impact
• Large Language Models
• Developer Education
• Digital Content Monetization
• Economic Uncertainty

Best for: Investor, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Simon Willison's Weblog.