Product Management playbook/Module 10 · AI features

Day 98 / 100 · AI features · Build vs buy for AI

Own the difference. Rent the rest.

Most teams don't need their own models. The advantage is usually in your data, your workflow and your user experience.

Buy a tool

Off-The-Shelf

“Is a generic tool good enough?”

Gain: speed

Cost: generic, little control

Build on APIs

Models + Your Product

“Can our data and UX make it better?”

Gain: fit and control

Cost: evals and upkeep

Train your own

Fine-Tune Or Train

“Is there no other way?”

Gain: specialisation

Cost: data, skills, time, money

Prove value before you build the engine.