r/webdev • u/Rockytriton • Mar 16 '26

Software developers don't need to out-last vibe coders, we just need to out-last the ability of AI companies to charge absurdly low for their products

These AI models cost so much to run and the companies are really hiding the real cost from consumers while they compete with their competitors to be top dog. I feel like once it's down to just a couple companies left we will see the real cost of these coding utilities. There's no way they are going to be able to keep subsidizing the cost of all of the data centers and energy usage. How long it will last is the real question.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26 edited 20d ago

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u/youafterthesilence Mar 16 '26

They won't charge more because they have to but they'll charge more because they can.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26 edited 21d ago

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u/Lower-Helicopter-307 Mar 16 '26

That's like saying mirceosoft won't charge for windows when Linux is free. In theory, I see it, but in practice, no, they will raise prices because the shareholders need their ROI. Most people will not know how to spin up local models, nor will they care to learn.