Are we tokenmaxxing our way to nowhere?
The gap between AI insiders and everyone else is widening—and the vocabulary, spending, and skepticism are starting to show it.
Why it matters
A contrarian take on whether the AI industry's obsession with scale (tokenmaxxing) is delivering real value or creating a widening credibility gap between insiders and the broader market. Relevant for leaders evaluating whether current AI spending priorities align with actual business outcomes.
The key facts
9 to knowOpenAI acquiring finance apps and media properties
Footwear company rebranding as AI infrastructure play
Anthropic released model deemed 'too powerful' for public release
Growing vocabulary/jargon gap between AI insiders and mainstream
Increased spending and suspicion in AI market
Shoe company rebranding as AI infrastructure play
Anthropic withholding model release citing safety/power concerns
Growing vocabulary gap between AI insiders and general audience
Tension between spending levels and actual deployment outcomes
Go to the source
TechCrunch Startupstechcrunch.com
Publisher excerpt: The gap between AI insiders and everyone else is widening, and the spending, suspicion, and even new vocabulary are starting to show it. While OpenAI is busy buying up everything from finance apps to talk shows, a certain shoe company just rebranded as an AI infrastructure play, and Anthropic…