Episode 506
๐ AI adoption is widening the digital divide, with premium tools costing upwards of $200 per month, pricing out individuals and small businesses in emerging economies.
๐ The high cost of AI tools is creating a power imbalance, where companies that can afford them have a significant advantage over those that cannot, potentially concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a few.
๐ Regulators and industry leaders are exploring solutions, including subsidized access to open-source models, hybrid cloud solutions, and increased competition, which could drive prices down and make AI more accessible to all.
๐ Open-source alternatives, such as China's DeepSeek R1, are emerging as a potential solution, offering affordable and competitive AI tools that could level the playing field and democratize access to AI technology.
