DeepSeek cut prices 75%. The 100x problem remains

DeepSeek's price reduction of 75% for its V4-Pro model has sparked hope for more affordable AI solutions, but the reality is that lower costs aren't translating to profit boosts for many firms. The challenge lies in the fact that while inference costs drop, the rapid consumption of tokens by agent systems outpaces these savings. This echoes a long-standing issue in software economics where cheaper infrastructure doesn't always lead to healthier margins, highlighting a persistent dilemma in the AI market.