ReWorked. Generative AI Blurs Build vs. Buy Lines

AI is supposed to make building software easier. But does it really?

On the one hand, developers are speeding up tasks like prototyping, bug fixing, and testing. On the other hand, off-the-shelf software is becoming way more customizable. The line between build and buy is fuzzier than ever.

Recently, Reworked covered the topic and reached out to tech advisor Vaclav Vincalek, founder of 555vCTO.com, to get his take on Buy vs Build. 

In software development, what’s better: Buying or Building?

Generative AI is shaking up how organizations approach software development – and not in the ways you might expect.

But before you ditch your SaaS subscriptions or hire a junior dev army, there are some caveats.

Fractional CTO Vaclav Vincalek, who is also the founder of Hiswai.com, tells ReWorked that since everyone has access to the same tools, the gen AI boom really won’t move the needle much in Buy vs. Build.

He said at best, it will provide an opportunity (or the illusion of opportunity) for less technical people, that they too can start building software, he said. “In theory, you might shorten the cycle when you are writing the code, but the rest remains the same: debugging, QA, deployment, version control, documentation,” says Vincalek.

“The one thing which will happen for sure is that there will be the slow disappearance of knowledge about these systems and when something goes wrong (and it definitely will) there will be nobody who will be able to troubleshoot the problem,” Vincalek said.

When building a technology solution and using third-party technology, organizations should always strive to buy 'functionality' rather than 'application,' he continued

In the ReWorked article, Vincalek mentions that when you integrate functionality into your own solution, it should be relatively easy to replace it with the same functionality from another vendor. This prevents vendor lock-in and could allow organizations to build that functionality in-house in the future.

AI is reshaping the Build vs. Buy equation

GenAI tools are speeding up everything from prototyping to testing – and they’re making off-the-shelf software easier to customize. That’s reshaping the usual Build vs. Buy decision.

In the ReWorked article, one expert pointed out that professional developers are now using AI to automate bug fixing and streamline workflows, making it cheaper to build in-house without massive teams. But it’s not a full replacement for experience – senior developers are still critical for oversight and strategic direction. Their roles are evolving: less hands-on coding, more mentoring and code reviews.

Another expert compared the current moment to the early low-code era. With GenAI, employees across departments are beginning to prototype solutions on their own, bypassing traditional dev cycles. The upside? Faster innovation and more autonomy. The risk? Governance, security, and system integrity can quickly spiral without clear guardrails.

And while some believe GenAI will change how organizations think about software entirely, others see it more as a speed boost than a strategic shift. Companies that lean toward buying will likely keep buying. Those that build will still prefer control. GenAI might nudge decisions at the margins, but it won’t rewrite the playbook.

The article goes on to say that what it will do is increase pressure on IT teams to be enablers – not gatekeepers – and to architect flexible, modular systems that balance experimentation with long-term scalability.

Gen AI to replace your software strategy?

Is your organization looking at ways to integrate generative AI into your business operations? At 555vCTO.com, we help businesses scale software infrastructure that’s flexible, futureproof, and ready for whatever AI brings next. Whether you're looking to build, buy, or blend both – without getting locked in – we’ll help you move smart.

Let’s talk strategy. Reach out to the tech experts at 555vCTO.com today.