# Build vs. buy, honestly

Buy when the problem is generic (meeting notes, CRM enrichment). Build when the workflow touches proprietary data or IS the product. Hybrid dominates: buy the model, build the context layer. Your data layer is the only part competitors can’t copy.

Canonical: https://robauto.ai/learn/ai-architecture/17

_Advanced AI Architecture: Strategy, Stack & Daily Practice — lesson 17 of 20 (DEFINITION)_

Buy when the problem is generic (meeting notes, CRM enrichment). Build when the workflow touches proprietary data or IS the product. Hybrid dominates: buy the model, build the context layer. Your data layer is the only part competitors can’t copy.

Source: [a16z — Build vs. buy in AI](https://a16z.com?utm_source=robauto)

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