Advanced AI Models Now 'Cheap' and Highly Capable, Signaling 'Uber Era' of Accessibility

Venture capital partner Nabeel S. Qureshi recently highlighted a significant shift in the artificial intelligence landscape, asserting that advanced AI models have become remarkably effective and affordable. In a social media post on November 20, 2025, Qureshi declared, > "Honestly all the AI models are really good now and it barely makes a difference which one you choose anymore as long as you use reasoning models. And cheap too. We are firmly in the $5 Uber era of AI." This statement underscores a growing trend of commoditization within the AI industry, making sophisticated capabilities widely accessible.

The "Uber era" analogy points to a market where foundational AI models are increasingly affordable and ubiquitous, akin to a utility. Industry analysis supports this view, indicating a rapid commoditization of advanced AI, with intense competition driving down prices for basic inference and making powerful AI solutions more accessible to a broader user base. This shift allows businesses and individuals to leverage cutting-edge AI without prohibitive costs.

Qureshi, a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners with a background in enterprise software and AI, detailed his personal AI "stack" for various applications. For daily tasks and complex problem-solving, he relies on what he refers to as "Gemini 3 / GPT5.1T" and "GPT 5.1Pro and Gemini3," suggesting a future generation of Google and OpenAI's flagship models. While these specific versions are not yet publicly confirmed, they represent the anticipated evolution of leading AI capabilities.

For specialized tasks, Qureshi utilizes distinct models, citing "Codex" for coding, noting its utility for UI/front-end development and long-context needs. OpenAI's Codex, originally the engine behind GitHub Copilot, has seen its capabilities integrated into more generalized models, yet remains a benchmark for code generation. He also favors "GPT5.1T" for mobile use due to its application experience.

A unique component of his stack is "Grok," which Qureshi employs for "searching 'live' info or for where other models’ safety features are getting in the way." Developed by xAI, Grok is known for its real-time access to information via the X platform and a less restrictive approach to content moderation, offering a distinct alternative for certain queries. This highlights a diversification in AI offerings to cater to specific user requirements.

The insights from Qureshi reflect a mature AI market where performance parity and cost-effectiveness are becoming standard, enabling users to select models based on nuanced preferences rather than raw power alone. This accessibility is poised to accelerate innovation and integration of AI across numerous sectors, transforming how individuals and enterprises interact with artificial intelligence.