The whole LLM as a service business model has a fundamental flaw to it. The cost of operating the data centres is an order of magnitude higher than the profit.

But if models get efficient enough to bring the costs down, then they become efficient enough to run locally. So, either it’s too expensive to operate, or nobody will want to use it as a service because running your own gives you privacy and flexibility.

The fact that investors don't get this is frankly incredible.

#llm #economy

@yogthos

Ah, but have you priced in the (what is likely technically impossible) possibility of reaching AGI with LLMs?

It's like a lottery ticket for the wealthy who don't mind setting a bit of their money and the economy and the planet on fire for the slimmest of chances to become obscenely wealthy, even by billionaire standards.

@FantasticalEconomics @yogthos i think they see themselves as Prometheus, stealing fire from the Gods and bringing it to their billionaire friends, finally releasing them from a fate worse than death: having obligations towards the Poors