alt Hacker NewsThis makes the case that open weight models are not necessarily cheaper than closed weight models
But I'd still rather use them since it's inevitable the unsustainable margins of the closed weight providers lead to enshittification once they stop subsidizing demand
I'd rather spend more today with a workflow whose underlying unit economics are sustainable and don't force me to inevitably look for other solutions once the closed weight providers start optimizing for profit and extracting value
Exactly. If open weight models are not cheaper than the big labs then the economic model of the big labs is in trouble. To survive the big labs need to be charging much much more but the market is dragging everything in the wrong direction for them.
It also further exposes the “we’re profitable this quarter” claims coming from big labs. These statements increasingly look like WeWork “community adjusted EBITDA” nonsense of “we’re profitable if you ignore all the reasons why we’re deeply unprofitable.”