Indie Degree
← Capabilities

AI architecture and build-versus-buy

not yet earned

I can decide whether a problem needs an LLM at all, price the alternative, and show a case where the cheaper approach won.

What this claim costs

  • 3 assessed items at tier 2 or above0 of 3 — 3 more to do, from 29 available
  • A public artifact built for this claim — llm-or-notNot built yet
  • A documented negative result — where this stops workingNothing recorded. A capability with no known failure boundary has not been explored.
  • Defended aloud, against questions you did not write2 available, none done
  • Recalled cold, a week later, without notes5 scheduled, none done

The proof

llm-or-not

A classification problem currently served by an LLM, reimplemented with a baseline that is measured against it on cost, latency and accuracy.

What it has to contain

  • A problem currently served by an LLM, reimplemented with a cheaper baseline
  • Cost, latency and accuracy compared at a stated volume
  • A case where the cheaper approach won, stated plainly

Where it stops working. Not established yet. Anyone can ship a demo; the boundary is the part that is worth reading, so this claim is not earned until it is written down.

Skills underneath

  • Choosing an AI approach
  • Human-in-the-loop design
  • AI economics and build-versus-buy

29 assessed items across the specified courses evidence these, 0 done.