Build vs Buy for AI
Balance control, cost, speed, and risk.
Decision Matrix
| Factor | Build | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slower start; custom fit | Fastest to MVP |
| TCO | Infra + team + upkeep | Licenses + usage fees |
| Control | Full stack ownership | Roadmap dependency |
| Risk | In-house security & audits | Vendor reviews, SLAs |
| Differentiation | High for core IP | Low/medium; focus ops |
When to Build
- Core IP, custom data/privacy constraints
- Long horizon with strong platform team
When to Buy
- Commodity capabilities, need speed to value
- Limited capacity to run AI platform