Ranjan Roy: AI is shifting towards consumption-based models, public fear stems from rapid advancements, and large language models are often overhyped | Big Technology

AI's shift to consumption-based models could revolutionize how we pay for digital services, like utilities.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 10, 2026

Key takeaways

• The shift towards consumption-based models in AI is a natural progression in the industry.
• AI services might soon be monetized similarly to utilities, with usage-based payment models.
• Public negativity towards AI often stems from fear of its rapidly advancing capabilities.
• Societal unease with AI tools reflects broader concerns about tech industry figures.
• The economic implications of AI, particularly around data compensation, are significant.
• AI will cause disruption but is unlikely to lead to mass unemployment soon.
• Large language models are often overhyped and not as effective as claimed.
• AI is already deeply integrated into everyday applications, influencing user experiences.
• The fear of AI is primarily focused on its potential to replace human labor.
• Meta has successfully rebuilt its advertising infrastructure using advanced AI technologies.
• Understanding AI’s pervasive role in daily life can help demystify its impact.
• Public sentiment towards AI is influenced by societal perceptions of tech leaders.
• The analogy between AI services and utility payments provides a relatable framework for monetization.
• Recognizing the different types of AI helps clarify societal anxieties about job displacement.
• The adaptation of companies like Meta showcases the strategic integration of AI in business operations.

Guest intro

Ranjan Roy is the retail lead at Writer. He previously led generative AI initiatives at Adore Me, pioneering its application in retail operations to create personalized customer experiences. His expertise spans finance, media, and AI, informing discussions on technology trends and adoption.

The shift towards consumption-based AI models

• The move towards consumption-based models in AI is a natural industry progression.

• I actually found this not that offensive in the sense that like I do think it’s already… companies moving towards more consumption based models.

  — Ranjan Roy

• Understanding current trends in AI pricing models is crucial for grasping consumer behavior.
• The analogy of AI services to utilities like electricity helps clarify future monetization models.

• I think electricity that one’s not unreasonable to me that you’re gonna have some kind of utilization ai will be baked into just daily life and you will pay for it on a consumption based model.

  — Ranjan Roy

• This model makes AI monetization more relatable and less intimidating for consumers.
• The shift reflects a broader trend in tech towards usage-based pricing.
• Recognizing this trend is essential for stakeholders in the AI industry.

Public sentiment and AI’s rapid advancement

• Public negativity towards AI often stems from its rapidly advancing capabilities.

• Could it just be that people are seeing ai’s rapidly advancing capabilities and they are getting freaked out and that is leading to some of this negativity in the public?

  — Ranjan Roy

• This sentiment highlights a psychological aspect of technology adoption.
• Understanding the relationship between technological advancement and public perception is crucial.
• Societal unease with AI tools reflects broader concerns about tech industry figures.

• I think there is this uneasiness that it’s become like… it’s more reflective of kind of long simmering disdain for this kind of figurehead the silicon valley tech bro whatever it is figurehead.

  — Ranjan Roy

• Recognizing societal perceptions of tech leaders is key to understanding AI discourse.
• The fear of AI is primarily focused on its potential to replace human labor.

Economic implications of AI

• The economic implications of AI are significant, particularly regarding data compensation.

• There is a validity to this idea… all of these models trained on and how no one was compensated now every they’re gonna be monetizing this as like electricity.

  — Ranjan Roy

• This highlights an important concern often overlooked in AI discussions.
• Understanding current discussions around AI training data and copyright issues is essential.
• The analogy of AI monetization to utilities underscores the economic impact.
• Recognizing these implications is crucial for stakeholders in the AI field.
• The economic concerns are tied to broader societal and ethical issues.
• Awareness of these issues is vital for informed discourse on AI technology.

AI’s impact on jobs and the economy

• AI will cause disruption but is unlikely to lead to mass unemployment soon.

• I don’t think we’re about to see mass automation and unemployment because of AI… it’s gonna cause disruption and I think there’s no doubt about that.

  — Ranjan Roy

• This perspective counters more alarmist views on AI’s impact.
• Understanding the current discourse around AI’s impact on jobs is crucial.
• Recognizing the nuanced effects of AI helps demystify its potential impact.
• The fear of AI is primarily focused on its capabilities to perform human tasks.

• it’s not like the ai that I’m like you know using on my photos it’s the ai that can do my work.

  — Ranjan Roy

• Distinguishing between different types of AI is essential for understanding societal anxieties.

Critique of large language models

• Large language models are often overhyped and not as effective as claimed.

• AI is bad… large language models are not the panacea that they promise to be.

  — Ranjan Roy

• This statement provides a critical viewpoint from an industry expert.
• Awareness of AI technologies’ current capabilities and limitations is essential.
• Recognizing the hype around AI models helps manage expectations.
• This critique highlights the need for realistic assessments of AI technologies.
• Understanding these limitations is crucial for informed discourse on AI.
• The critique underscores the importance of skepticism in evaluating AI advancements.

AI’s integration into everyday applications

• AI is deeply integrated into everyday applications, influencing user experiences.

• every time you take a photo with an iphone it is running through a pretty heavy ai process every time you do a google search… you are just seeped in ai in terms of the recommendations in terms of like the ads that are targeting you.

  — Ranjan Roy

• This highlights the contrast between everyday AI applications and more advanced AI.
• Understanding AI’s pervasive role in daily life helps demystify its impact.
• Recognizing the distinction between different AI functionalities is crucial.
• The integration of AI in common applications often goes unnoticed.
• This insight provides a nuanced view of public perception towards AI.
• Awareness of AI’s everyday role is essential for informed discussions.

Meta’s strategic pivot with AI

• Meta has successfully rebuilt its advertising infrastructure using advanced AI technologies.

• they rebuilt their entire advertising infrastructure to incorporate large language models and agentic processes and the newer vintage of ai rather than the traditional machine learning and that’s what’s made it… rebuilds their business on the fly to their credit

  — Ranjan Roy

• This showcases Meta’s adaptation to new technologies.
• Understanding the significance of AI advancements in advertising is crucial.
• Meta’s strategic pivot highlights the integration of AI in business operations.
• This shift reflects broader trends in tech towards AI-driven solutions.
• Recognizing these advancements is essential for stakeholders in the tech industry.
• Meta’s success underscores the potential of AI in transforming business models.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.