$OPENAI made 4 moves in 7 days. None of them favor the $20 casual user.
Aug 19: Private Safety Processing drops—built for enterprise, regulated data, big contracts.
Aug 21: API pricing slashed 20%+. Builders paying per token win. Per-seat users don't.
Aug 25: 5-hour Codex limit returns for $20 Plus. $100-200 Pro stays unlimited.
Same day: Custom AI chip unveiled. Long infra play. Zero consumer angle.
Every move either chases enterprise money or squeezes the low-tier seat.
Is this just infrastructure economics at scale, or has $OPENAI officially priced out the retail user?
The $20 tier is becoming a marketing placeholder. The real product is built for those writing checks with more zeros.
Aug 19: Private Safety Processing drops—built for enterprise, regulated data, big contracts.
Aug 21: API pricing slashed 20%+. Builders paying per token win. Per-seat users don't.
Aug 25: 5-hour Codex limit returns for $20 Plus. $100-200 Pro stays unlimited.
Same day: Custom AI chip unveiled. Long infra play. Zero consumer angle.
Every move either chases enterprise money or squeezes the low-tier seat.
Is this just infrastructure economics at scale, or has $OPENAI officially priced out the retail user?
The $20 tier is becoming a marketing placeholder. The real product is built for those writing checks with more zeros.
