E.L.L.A
Episode 233:44

Pricing AI in 2026

Seats, usage, outcomes — what actually works when the product is decision-removal, not software access.

EP. 23 — Listen Now

Show Notes

Segments

  • 00:00 — The pricing identity crisis: AI products are priced like SaaS and valued like labor.
  • 13:40 — Seats versus usage versus outcomes — what each model rewards and punishes.
  • 28:15 — Anchoring to the decision removed, not the API call consumed.
  • 39:45 — The 2026 reality: buyers compare you to headcount, so price against headcount.

Key takeaways

  • Usage pricing taxes adoption; outcome pricing demands measurement; seats reward shelfware. Choose your poison consciously.
  • The value metric must be legible to the person paying, not the person building.
  • Repricing is easier than unpricing — start higher than comfortable.