# Build vs Buy AI > Build vs buy is the strategic decision between developing an AI capability internally or in partnership, versus licensing a finished product from a vendor. Category: Business Source: https://impetora.com/glossary/build-vs-buy-ai Part of: Impetora AI consulting glossary (https://impetora.com/glossary) ## What is Build vs Buy AI? Build is right when the use case is core to the business, the data is proprietary, and the compliance bar is too high for off-the-shelf. Buy is right when the use case is commodity, the vendor is mature, and integration cost beats build cost. A custom-AI partnership sits between the two: build, but with an external delivery team. The decision should be made per use case, not per vendor. ## How does Build vs Buy AI apply to enterprise AI? Most large enterprises end up with a portfolio: buy for productivity copilots, build (or partner) for differentiated workflows in regulated areas. The error mode is treating one decision as the answer for the whole programme. ## Related terms - [Custom AI](https://impetora.com/glossary/custom-ai) - Custom AI is an AI system designed and built for a specific enterprise's data, workflows, and constraints, rather than a generic product configured by the buyer. - [Consulting AI](https://impetora.com/glossary/consulting-ai) - Consulting AI is the engagement model in which an external team provides AI strategy, design, build, and operate services to an enterprise client. - [AI ROI](https://impetora.com/glossary/ai-roi) - AI ROI is the measurable financial return on an AI investment, calculated as the value generated (cost savings, revenue uplift, risk reduction) net of total cost of ownership. - [Enterprise AI](https://impetora.com/glossary/enterprise-ai) - Enterprise AI is AI deployed inside a large organisation, integrated with systems of record, governed by enterprise risk and compliance, and accountable to multiple stakeholders. ## External references - [Impetora build vs buy answer](https://impetora.com/answers/build-vs-buy-enterprise-ai-2026) --- Impetora is a custom AI consultancy and solutions partner for enterprises in regulated industries. Submit a project at https://impetora.com/intake.