Beyond SaaS
Why AI Requires Embedding, Not Surfacing
For two decades, enterprise software followed a simple pattern: surface functionality through interfaces that humans operate. SaaS perfected this model by moving the interface to the cloud and charging per seat. But AI isn’t just better software—it’s a fundamentally different technology that breaks this paradigm.
The critical distinction: SaaS is about surfacing capabilities for human operation. AI is about embedding intelligence that operates autonomously.
This isn’t a feature addition or an upgrade path. It’s a categorical shift that invalidates the core architectural and business model assumptions of the SaaS era.
Why Embedding vs. Surfacing Matters
The Architecture Imperative
