Prototype.

A prototype is a rough version of a product or feature built to answer a question: Does this flow make sense? Will the AI be accurate enough? Do users understand this screen? It's meant to be fast and disposable, not production-ready.

Prototypes range from clickable design mockups that look real but do nothing, to small working builds that validate a technical risk. The point is to learn cheaply before you invest in the full thing.

Unlike an MVP, a prototype usually isn't shown to the wider market or built to last. It's a tool for de-risking a decision. Once it has answered its question, you often throw it away and build the real version properly.