Independent research
for the AI economy.

From Models to Agents: Why the Hard Part of Scaling AI Isn't Just the Model

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into enterprise workflows, the shift from model selection to agentic execution has become paramount. This report synthesizes insights from a roundtable discussion among leaders in India's startup ecosystem, covering crucial topics such as token and GPU economics, operational sovereignty, and the importance of governance frameworks. Key findings reveal that the real value from AI arises not merely from models but from agents that can execute actions effectively within business processes. Additionally, concerns about operational control and trust are recognized as essential for widespread adoption. The report underlines that successful deployment in sectors like fintech and healthtech necessitates a flexible, economically sound infrastructure to manage compute needs efficiently while ensuring operational integrity and data sovereignty.