The AI pricing squeeze
Hardware, licenses, and AI add-ons are climbing at once, and enterprises can't trace where the money goes. The story of the year's procurement mood, update by update.
- 01Tech prices are at an all-time high. Some of it is tariffs, some is strategy, and some is simply because they can.
- 02KPMG put a number on the discomfort: 42% of enterprises scaling AI can't trace the spend to outcomes.
- 03The squeeze is reaching devices: Meta moved an on-device glasses feature behind a monthly subscription, and buyers are re-reading their agreements.
- 04Where it goes next: renewal season. CIOs are starting to demand the AI component itemized.
The Meta precedent
A capability that shipped with the hardware moves behind a monthly charge. Existing customers with the feature in contract keep it; new buyers pay monthly.
read the story →The 42% problem
KPMG's pulse survey lands: the scaling phase has arrived before the accounting has.
read the story →Thread opened
Three pricing stories in one week made this a saga, not a coincidence. We'll keep it stitched here.

Why Are Tech Prices at an All Time High?
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