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Insights

Working notes on building AI and software in production — business analysis, delivery, and what we learn shipping our own products. Newest first.

6 entries
Latest7 min readAI Strategy

What Determines the Cost of a Custom AI or Software Project (2026 Guide)

There is no single price for custom AI or software, because cost is set by scope — the specific problem, how much has to be built versus bought, and what it costs to run — not by the label on the project.

Here is what actually drives the number, and how to get an estimate you can trust.

What Determines the Cost of a Custom AI or Software Project (2026 Guide)
Warisa Siddiqui
Warisa Siddiqui
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Earlier notes
  1. 02

    AI Agent vs Chatbot vs Automation: Which Does Your Business Actually Need?

    Automation follows fixed rules, a chatbot holds a conversation, and an AI agent makes decisions and takes action across your tools — most businesses need a mix, chosen by the workflow, not the hype. A plain-English guide for managers weighing rules-based automation, chatbots, and autonomous AI agents, with a comparison table, real use-cases, and why anything customer-facing needs a human approval gate.

    AI Agents8 min read
  2. 03

    A Practical Guide to Automating Your Business Workflows With AI in 2026

    The teams that win at AI automation do not start with the tool — they start by picking one high-frequency, rule-clear workflow and mapping exactly how it works today. A practical, honest guide to automating business processes with AI in 2026, from finding candidates to measuring real ROI.

    Automation8 min read
  3. 04

    SEO in the Age of AI Search: How to Get Found in 2026

    SEO in 2026 is about becoming the specific, trustworthy source that AI answer engines quote, not just a page ranking tenth. Here is how AI Overviews change what ranking means, why first-hand expertise and solid technical foundations win, and a do-this-now checklist to get your site found.

    Growth9 min read
  4. 05

    What writing 80+ user stories taught me about scoping AI work

    The discipline behind well-scoped requirements: user stories as contracts, observable acceptance criteria, AS-IS before TO-BE. Here's why mid-market AI work breaks without it.

    Business Analysis8 min read
  5. 06

    Why mid-market AI projects fail (and the 3 things that fix it)

    Most AI engagements at 50-500 employee firms stall before they ship. The pattern is consistent, and the fix has nothing to do with the model.

    AI Implementation9 min read

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Tell us what you’re building. One paragraph is plenty, there’s no form to fill in, and it reaches the founders directly — the people who’ll actually do the work.

What happens next

  1. 01You tell us what you're buildingA paragraph on the product or problem, roughly when you need it, and which systems it touches. That's enough to start.
  2. 02We reply with a real planA genuine first take — scope, rough cost and an honest view of whether AI is even the right tool. Not a brochure.
  3. 03We build, ship and run itProduction-grade, with you in the loop, and we stay on for support and growth once it's live.

Based in India, working across US, UK and UAE hours. Calls run on your clock, not ours.