Talent over tokens: AI models are becoming more expensive to run, and productivity gains are limited — efficient workers might be the solution to strained budgets
Tom's Hardware: For The Hardcore PC Enthusiast [Unofficial]
April 30, 2026
Major firms are finding the rising costs of AI hard to manage, as human workers are now often more affordable alternatives to AI within certain contexts. With many platforms switching to per-token billing and rising model costs, we may be reaching an inflection point where human workers are a more efficient way to spend.
Discussion in the ATmosphere