Production AI
Production AI in 2026 is mostly plumbing. Sorry.
The model matters, but the system around it usually decides whether the project survives contact with reality.
6 min read · 2026-06-08
Executives want a model recommendation. Senior engineers want the data path, access model, rollback plan, eval harness, latency budget, incident process, and cost envelope. The engineers are right.
The production pattern I still trust is boring: start with the smallest valuable workflow, use retrieval only where it beats curated context, keep humans in the loop until quality is measurable, log enough to debug failures, and keep sensitive data out of places you cannot defend later.
If you want me involved, the engagement is advisory. I no longer take on implementation or building projects. I only offer paid consultations and strategic advisory for teams that need experienced judgment before committing serious money.
If this sounds uncomfortably familiar, get a paid review.
I no longer take on implementation or building projects. I only offer paid consultations and strategic advisory, which means the guidance is not a setup for selling you a build.
Book a paid consultation