Investor funds have been subsidizing the inference costs so far.

Investors might move from funding the model providers to funding the enterprises that use those models. That is, they might move from funding the cost of the experiment to funding the value of the result. No funding if there are no demonstrable AI gains.

This is a reasonable shift if this happens. If enough gains have been demonstrated, then investors might go back to funding the model providers. Investors always move towards the highest leverage point.

As long as AI delivers, this would be the rhythm.

Investors can try to subsidize while the cost of delivery, evolution, and efficiency improves, while at the same time completing market capture.