Core Logic of AI Commercialization from Unique Research’s CES Dialogue: Abandon Internet Mindset, Shift to Hybrid "Tiered Subscription + Usage Limits" Model

NewTimeSpace Report Exclusive closed-door dialogue insights from CES 2026 AI Demo Day reveal a pivotal discussion led by Kisson Lin, CEO of B2B productivity tool Tanka, and Jesse Z, an Emmy-nominated producer. The core consensus: the fundamental shift in AI products’ marginal cost structure is forcing enterprises to abandon the traditional internet mindset and adopt a hybrid business model combining tiered subscription and usage limits. Drawing on perspectives from productivity tools and entertainment content creation respectively, the two guests unpacked the critical logic transformation underpinning AI commercialization in 2026.

Kisson Lin laid out clear criteria for market entry strategy: target small yet high-growth niche markets. Citing Canva and Slack as case studies, he noted that both companies launched by focusing on specific, analyzable niche segments. A saturated large market offers little room for startups to compete. For B2B products, he advised starting with personal networks, conducting extensive user interviews to identify common needs and unmet gaps in existing offerings.

On localization strategy, Jesse Z emphasized the necessity of hiring local go-to-market (GTM) teams and respecting local cultural work practices. "Never hire local talent only to demand they work like your Chinese team," warned Jesse Z. "Disregarding local culture and work styles will make it nearly impossible to retain talent." Kisson Lin further expanded the definition of localization beyond geography to user segmentation. "The needs of small and micro-enterprises (with fewer than 20 employees) are entirely different from those of large corporations," he pointed out. True localization means deep product adaptation to the distinct demands of different user tiers.

To bridge the gap between product R&D and market feedback, Kisson Lin shared a highly actionable approach: have engineers directly watch recorded sales demos or host "Office Hours" for engineers to engage in direct conversations with users. Under traditional models, market teams typically relay feedback in sterile bullet points, leaving engineers unable to empathize with end-users. Observing firsthand where users get stuck or confused is far more effective than theoretical meetings. "Don’t just listen to what users say—watch what they do," stressed Kisson Lin. "When it comes to UI/UX, user feedback is often unreliable; observing their pain points via recorded sessions yields better insights than discussions."

For overseas financing strategies, the two guests offered practical advice. As a non-technical founder, Jesse Z recommended prioritizing B2B collaborations (with schools, brands, and agents) to generate revenue and traction first. Proving product viability in local markets will attract investors proactively. Kisson Lin highlighted the importance of creating FOMO (fear of missing out): "Avoid becoming a ‘familiar face’ to investors. The optimal strategy is to schedule all roadshows within a 2–4 week window and inform investors of your intensive fundraising timeline—this accelerates their decision-making process."

Commercialization and pricing emerged as the core focus of the discussion. Kisson Lin clarified that the logic of building competitive moats has shifted in the AI era. A massive user base (the TikTok model) is no longer an absolute advantage; instead, depth of data per user is more critical. Given the exorbitant costs of AI inference, he cautioned that verifying user willingness to pay must happen early. "AI incurs high costs not only in R&D but also in inference," he warned. "Resist the temptation of unlimited freemium models—charge early to validate product value."

On pricing models, both guests agreed that the freemium model is obsolete. Kisson Lin explained that AI products offer diverse functions (search, image generation, workflow automation), but overly complex pricing structures confuse users. Enterprises perceive pure usage-based pricing as unpredictable and cost-prohibitive. The solution lies in a hybrid model: tiered subscriptions paired with predefined usage limits. Looking ahead, result-based pricing will become the trend, especially in sales and marketing sectors—though measuring outcomes remains challenging for internal workflow tools.

On product development direction, Jesse Z stated unequivocally: "Build end-to-end systems. Users don’t need fragmented tools—they need comprehensive workflows that eliminate technical barriers and deliver direct value." Kisson Lin predicted that over the next two years, AI will evolve with enhanced memory and contextual awareness capabilities, overcoming current token limitations. Future AI will transcend its role as a mere advisory tool to become autonomous agents capable of executing complex tasks over extended periods without real-time human supervision.

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