Is AI really too expensive—or are we thinking about the cost all wrong? In this episode, hosts Dr. Karen Hildebrand and Nick Walsh, sit down with Ishit Vachhrajani, Head of Technology, AI & Analytics at AWS, to break down the real economics of AI adoption. They explore why the question isn’t just about infrastructure costs, but about the value AI unlocks—from eliminating undifferentiated heavy lifting to enabling entirely new roles and business models. The conversation covers practical strategies for managing AI spend, building the right governance guardrails, choosing between building and buying models, and why starting with a clear business problem (not the technology) is the fastest path to ROI. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, this episode will change how you think about the price tag of AI.
0:00 Intro
0:51 The Reframe
5:12 The Barbell
13:04 The Trading Floor
28:58 The Proof
36:38 The Advice
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