Lightweight APIs Unleash Solo Developers: The Case for Minimal AI Tools

The rise of lightweight APIs like Veo 3.1 Lite is fundamentally changing who can build AI tools—lowering infrastructure barriers for solo developers to create practical applications. The author argues that feature-richness often works against usability, and that simplicity and iteration speed matter far more than comprehensive platforms. This shift signals a broader democratization of AI development, where barriers to entry have been dramatically reduced.