TL;DR Many companies rush into generative AI without realizing just how steep—and unpredictable—the associated expenses can be. Meanwhile, the cost of implementing generative AI in business can range from $0.0005 per 1,000 text units (tokens or characters) if you use a popular commercially available Gen AI tool to over $190,000 for a fully custom solution based on a fine-tuned open-source model.

Everyone wants AI, but few know where to start. Enterprises face analysis paralysis with implementing AI effectively when massive, expensive models feel like overkill for routine tasks. Why deploy a $10 million solution just to answer FAQs or process documents? The truth is, most businesses don’t need boundless AI creativity; they need focused, reliable, and cost-efficient automation.