Why AI Is So Expensive

In this episode of Future of UX, we explore the real economics behind today’s AI tools.

Why are some tools stable while others quietly burn money?

What does OpenAI’s IPO tell us about where the industry is heading?

And what should designers expect in the next 1–3 years?

A clear, easy-to-understand breakdown for anyone designing in an AI-driven world.

• Why AI is so expensive (training vs. inference costs)
• How AI companies make money (and where they lose it)
• Who’s profitable vs. who’s burning cash
• Why cloud providers shape the whole industry
• What OpenAI’s IPO really signals
• How stable major design-related AI tools actually are
• What designers should expect next: pricing, consolidation, workflow changes



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