> But then you won't know how to efficiently use AI, so you'll still end up spending more money when you start using it, nullifying any of the micro-optimization you were trying to do in the first place.

Not really. Models eat harnesses. Once the new model drops it invalidates lots of harness engineering people have done, and invalidates things they have learnt about how to efficiently use AI. The better models get the less need there is to need to know how to use them efficiently. They're also getting better at helping you use them efficiently.

It's weird. It's like no matter what you do, it's all just a waste of time.