OpenAI’s math breakthroughs may shift AI firms away from token sales

What is the current AI business model?

The AI business model has traditionally relied on token sales, where users pay for access to AI models by the token.

OpenAI's breakthroughs challenge the model

OpenAI's recent breakthroughs have raised questions about the value of tokens and the need for a new revenue model. The company's use of 10,000 agents to solve the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem and release 722 mathematical manuscripts has demonstrated the potential for AI models to produce valuable results.

Tokenmaxxing and the case for keeping the output

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has been experimenting with tokenmaxxing, where the company offers large allocations of API tokens to early-stage startups in exchange for equity.

The credit fight in the background

The rapid pace of OpenAI's breakthroughs has not gone over smoothly with everyone in academia, with disputes over credit and the release of findings.

What this means for AI companies and their customers

For investors watching the AI sector, the question is whether token revenue remains the main engine or becomes a side business.