What AI do you use- and what does it say about you (or your company)?
Ben Van Roo’s piece nails something I’ve been noticing: unlike laptops or phones, AI models don’t just extend what we do, they actively shape how we think. Choosing one isn’t just technical; it’s personal.
As an investor, I also think about this at the startup level. If the model or platform you use says something about you as an individual, what does the AI stack you build on top of say about your company?
- GPT-5 might signal pragmatism and scale.
- Claude could reflect a more philosophical approach.
- Open-source might show a culture of transparency and tinkering.
- Legion might reflect a mission-first mindset, choosing to build with tools optimized for precision, security, and applied use cases in defense and government.
But beyond identity, there’s also economics and performance. The foundation model market isn’t a monopoly, and competition, along with open-source innovation, continues to drive performance up and costs down. Platforms with deep visibility into user behavior and context can optimize or fine-tune models in ways general-purpose providers can’t, creating defensible advantages, better outcomes, and potential pricing power. Choosing a platform today isn’t just about signaling values; it’s a bet on unit economics, performance, and differentiation.
Shoutout to Ben for framing this conversation so well. Definitely worth a read.
The AI models in your browser tab are not neutral—and they reveal more than you think. Legion’s CEO Ben Van Roo makes the case in Air Mail: AI is not only about capability. It is about temperament. The model you select does not just answer questions. It signals who you are when you ask them.
So, which one are you running with? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/er779xfj
