Desktop - enterprise GNOME and an opinionated AI desktop ship together, not as separate SKUs; AI is non-negotiable; open 1-2 desktop reqs now

Situation

In the 10/13 Nathan 1:1, on top of Nathan base plan, Peter set conditions: the enterprise GNOME desktop and an opinionated AI desktop ship together rather than as separate SKUs, with a sandbox where CIQ can hold an opinion. AI is required - if System76 will not accept AI-written code into Cosmic, that only blocks upstreaming, not the work, and the base need not be Cosmic. Timing is loose (end of December or January). Open one or two desktop reqs now. Builds on his 10/4 note that a basic GNOME desktop plus an advanced agentic one could be differentiating.

Reasoning

Enterprise GNOME alone is a commodity; the AI desktop is the differentiator and the reason to be in desktop at all. Shipping together means every customer who buys the safe option gets the opinionated one, while separate SKUs would split effort and let the AI desktop wither. An upstream partner policy on AI code cannot set CIQ product direction.

Additional Context

Confirmed by Peter. Open question not resolved: whether ship-together alters the 10/1 one-desktop-environment-first scope or sits on top of it.

Observed Evidence

Fathom 10/13 ship-together, AI required, Cosmic optional, open 1-2 reqs; Slack 10/4 basic plus agentic desktop.

Confidence Breakdown

Reasoning Depth Analysis