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Small businesses see AI costs hike

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 06:30

Small businesses that have grown dependent on generative AI are starting to feel the true cost of the technology.

Subscriptions that started at around USD 20 a month have jumped to 100 or 200, and new agent features billed per operation can now push individual bills up to USD 4,000. 

Corporate trainer Matthieu Corthésy says AI firms are following the Netflix and Uber playbook, running at a loss to conquer the market before hiking prices. 

He is telling SMEs to spread their risk by running smaller open-source models locally, including Swiss and French options, and to train staff to use AI responsibly. 

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