Pluralistic: Why aren't AI companies competing directly with their customers? (13 Jul 2026)

Cory Doctorow discusses why AI companies, which claim to be developing transformative technology, choose not to compete directly with customers. He critiques the prevalent business model that sees firms selling potentially transformative AI solutions instead of using those solutions themselves, suggesting a deeper economic strategy rooted in layers of abstraction that distance businesses from actual production and service provision. The post reflects on the mismatch between the perceived value of AI innovations and the fundamental economic motivations behind their commercialization.