Inside the AI Arms Race: LLMs, Economics, and Strategy

In CXOTalk episode 880, host Michael Krigsman is joined by Nate B. Jones, AI product leader and expert in large language models (LLMs), to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology. With enterprises facing increasing pressure to adopt and scale AI solutions, Nate breaks down the strategic decisions executives must make to stay competitive in the "AI arms race."

This episode explores the present state of the LLM market, emphasizing major players like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, and also considers how emerging models could disrupt the status quo.

In addition to discussing technical trade-offs between fine-tuning, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and multi-agent systems, Nate outlines key considerations for scaling LLM technology across departments within large organizations. He emphasizes the importance of vendor selection, risk management, and aligning AI initiatives with long-term business goals.

In this episode, learn:

• What's happening with your favorite LLM vendors
• How to evaluate and select the right LLM vendor for your business
• Key economic factors and cost structures in LLM adoption
• The future of AI technology and how to align your strategy for 2025

This is a must-watch episode for leaders looking to leverage AI for growth and really understand the AI industry.

Episode Participants

Nate B. Jones is an AI–first product strategist and former Head of Product for Amazon Prime Video, where he guided global roadmap, data infrastructure, and customer-experience innovation for artwork that reached more than 200 million viewers. He has advised CXOs and product leaders at Fortune 500 enterprises, growth-stage scale-ups, and global banks on translating today’s large-language-model breakthroughs into revenue, efficiency, and a durable competitive edge. More than 250 000 professionals follow his daily AI briefings on TikTok; his Substack essays are regular reading for boards and innovation chiefs; and his Maven cohort on applied AI has up-skilled leadership teams at global brands.

Michael Krigsman is a globally recognized analyst, strategic advisor, and industry commentator known for his deep business transformation, innovation, and leadership expertise. He has presented at industry events worldwide and written extensively on the reasons for IT failures. His work has been referenced in the media over 1,000 times and in more than 50 books and journal articles; his commentary on technology trends and business strategy reaches a global audience.