‍Summary:

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GenAI is growing at an astonishing pace, unlocking new possibilities in productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. But as these platforms scale, one critical challenge is coming into focus: how do you make AI profitable in a way that works for both businesses and users?

Right now, many GenAI companies are following a familiar playbook — subscriptions and, in some cases, advertising. But if we’ve learned anything from the publishing industry, it’s that these models have limits. Subscription growth plateaus, ad revenue isn’t always enough, and users get stuck between two extremes: pay a monthly fee or stick to a free plan with limited access.

For AI, this challenge is even bigger. Free is never free for AI — every interaction has a real cost. Unlike streaming a song or reading an article, AI tools require compute power every time they’re used. Giving users a “free” option doesn’t just mean lost revenue — it means real expenses with no guarantee of conversion.

98% of users don’t subscribe — AI can turn that into a revenue opportunity

In publishing, only 2% of users ever subscribe. AI platforms can expect similar patterns, which means 98% of potential revenue is still untapped if subscriptions are the only option. Meanwhile, ads alone won’t cover the high cost of running AI models.

Users aren’t unwilling to pay — they just don’t want to commit to yet another recurring charge for something they might use only occasionally. That’s a huge opportunity for AI platforms willing to rethink monetization.

A Smarter Way Forward

The solution? Flexible, on-demand payments that let users pay only for what they need, when they need it. With this approach:

• Users get control: they can access AI when they need it, without the pressure of a subscription.
• Platforms get sustainable revenue: instead of relying on a small percentage of subscribers, AI companies can monetize a much larger audience.
• Engagement increases: when people aren’t locked out by paywalls, they use AI more, driving both revenue and retention.

Why This Matters Now

Publishing spent 15 years leaning on advertising, then 15 years pivoting to subscriptions. AI doesn’t have that kind of time to experiment. The companies that embrace smarter monetization now will be the ones leading the market in the years ahead.

At Supertab, we’re already proving this model works — removing friction, increasing conversions, and unlocking new revenue streams for AI companies.

The future of AI is flexible. Are you ready to build a business model that keeps up?