model dependency

The model dependency tag covers discussions about how AI startups can become reliant on a model provider for access, pricing, margins, and core product capabilities. Featured coverage examines an alleged offer of free AI tokens in exchange for startup equity, while emphasizing that the claim is a characterization rather than a publicly documented transaction. The broader issue is platform lock-in: a supplier that can see usage, influence costs, and potentially reproduce a customer’s workflow may hold substantial control over the business built on its technology. This tag follows the strategic and commercial risks that arise when an AI company’s product depends heavily on an external model platform.