Why AI Isn’t Killing SaaS Yet

May 26, 2026

1:07

Here's something that might surprise you — AI isn’t sweeping away SaaS companies as many predicted. According to content+a16zpodcast@a16z.com, Jack Farley and Max Wiethe, the real story is more nuanced. They speak with Ara Kharazian, Lead Economist at Ramp, who highlights that business spending data shows AI adoption is steady but not disruptive — yet. The ‘SaaSpocalypse’ myth is overblown; companies are strategically deploying AI tools rather than abandoning traditional software. What’s more, as Ara points out, firms like Anthropic are gaining ground over OpenAI in Ramp’s AI Index, and token-based pricing models are reshaping how products are bought. So, the thing is — AI-driven productivity gains are happening, but they’re incremental, not annihilative. The key takeaway? Legacy software companies might be more resilient than people think because AI is becoming a tool for smarter, not necessarily faster, growth. The takeaway is simple: the real advantage now lies in how quickly companies learn and adapt, not just in the tech itself.

Originally aired on MTS segment, Monetary Matters, Jack Farley and Max Wiethe speak with Ara Kharazian, Lead Economist at Ramp, about what real business spending data says about AI adoption, why the “SaaSpocalypse” narrative is overblown, and how companies are actually buying and deploying AI tools. They also discuss Anthropic overtaking OpenAI in Ramp’s AI Index, token-based pricing, AI productivity gains, and why many legacy software firms may be more resilient than people expect.

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Follow Ara on X: https://x.com/arakharazian

Follow Jack on X: https://x.com/JackFarley96

Follow Max on X: https://x.com/maxwiethe

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Audio Transcript