The Invisible Trap: The decisions quietly transferring control of your stack to model providers
March 20, 2026
Why cheaper compute won't mean cheaper AI, and what your stack is risking right now. OpenAI projected operating losses of $74 billion in 2028 alone, before an expected pivot to profitability around 2030. Deutsche Bank research calculates that OpenAI's projected cumulative cash burn could exceed $200 billion by 2030 – making it the largest startup loss in business history. Every token you've sent at subsidized rates has been financed by venture capital and hyperscaler infrastructure deals, with