The Danger of AI Lock-In

What this chapter covers

AI lock-in does not look like lock-in on day one. It looks like speed. This chapter is about the choices that quietly narrow your options — proprietary formats, closed interfaces, opinionated frameworks — and how to see them before they set.

Key takeaways

• The three shapes of AI lock-in: data, model, and interface
• Warning signs that a fast integration is a long-term trap
• How to price optionality when comparing vendors
• Exit strategies for lock-in you already have
• The two decisions that cause 80 percent of long-term regret