AI: when to buy, when to build
Not every AI use case deserves a custom build. A quick framework for deciding where custom engineering pays off and where an off-the-shelf tool is the smarter call.
Buy when the capability is generic and not core to your differentiation — transcription, generic chat, standard OCR. An off-the-shelf tool will be cheaper and better maintained than anything you build.
Build when the value comes from your own data, your workflow or your domain — and when the use case is close enough to your product that quality and control matter commercially.
Watch the integration tax. A 'cheap' tool that needs heavy glue code, data plumbing and monitoring may cost more than a focused build. Include the total cost of ownership, not just the licence.
De-risk with a pilot either way. A short, measurable pilot tells you more than a procurement spreadsheet. Decide with evidence, not with a vendor's demo.
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