Buy vs Build: AI Tools Flip the Script

Fun_Ostrich_5521 Buy vs Build: AI Tools Flip the Script

Last month, 3 founders told me they’re considering killing their SaaS products.

Not because they failed—because customers are now building AI-powered alternatives in-house.

OpenAI’s CFO Sarah Friar even confirmed their finance team runs with ~18% fewer people because they built internal tools instead of buying SaaS.

Why SaaS might be in trouble:

• AI makes custom apps cheap + fast
• SaaS speed advantage is gone
• Custom > Generic

Survival playbook (what I’m hearing/seeing):

• Build moats (data, compliance, networks)
• Sell platforms, not just point solutions
• Integrate deeply into workflows

If an intern can rebuild your app with ChatGPT in a week… what makes it irreplaceable?

Curious — are you seeing this same shift with your customers/industry, or is it still early hyp

Not promoting anything—just sharing observations.