WE USED THIS: An Archive of AI Product Endings

Introduction

WE USED THIS is a special online archive that keeps the stories of AI products that have stopped working. The project believes that even though digital tools come and go, their stories are important to remember. It acts as a library for products that have closed their doors or announced they are shutting down. Right now, the archive holds records for 297 different products. This helps people remember what these tools were and why they mattered.

Benefits

The main benefit of WE USED THIS is that it preserves history. Without this archive, the details of many short-lived AI projects might be lost forever. The site offers a searchable database called the Civilization Index. Users can look up products by their name, what they did, or which company made them. Each entry includes specific facts like the company name, where the product was used, and the exact dates it was active. This ensures that the information is accurate and based on real evidence. The project also focuses on verified locations, making sure the data is grounded in history rather than guesswork.

Use Cases

This archive is useful for anyone interested in the history of technology. Researchers can use it to study why certain AI products failed or succeeded. Students can learn about the evolution of digital tools by seeing which ones lasted and which ones did not. Tech enthusiasts can explore the past to understand the changing landscape of artificial intelligence. The site allows users to search for specific products to find out their life stories. Even if the original 3D map feature is not available, the text-based index remains a powerful tool for finding information about these digital memories.

Pricing

WE USED THIS is a free directory for everyone to use. There are no ads on the site, and anyone can search the database without paying. However, the project is maintained by one person on their own time. To help cover costs like hosting and translation, the site offers a Supporter Bundle. People can pay what they want, with a minimum of 3 USD and a suggested amount of 5 USD. Supporters get a PDF and JSON export of the data, a digital certificate, and some desktop wallpapers. This money helps keep the archive running but does not change what free users see.

Vibes

The project has a quiet and respectful tone. It treats every closed product with care, acknowledging that digital innovation is often temporary. The goal is to create a memorial for these tools so their stories are not forgotten. By preserving these records, the archive helps people understand how the digital world has changed over time. It serves as a reminder that while products may end, the lessons they teach remain.

Additional Information

The project is currently supported by individual contributions through the Supporter Bundle. It is not backed by a large company or venture capital. The founder maintains the site personally, ensuring that the content remains focused on preservation rather than profit. The archive emphasizes accuracy by requiring verified sources for every entry. This dedication to truth makes it a reliable resource for anyone studying the history of AI.