Goodbye to tokenmaxxing and hello to token efficiency
Fresh developments suggest a reset in the race for superiority in artificial intelligence.
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Unlike earlier digital technologies, AI services are not close to being free or marginally cheaper.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Tiger Tong
2026 may be the first year the tangible effects of AI are showing up in everyday work. For the past several years, the dominant assumption in the AI industry was simple: More computing power, more data and larger models would produce better results. Success belonged to those able to leverage the power of AI and willing to spend the most.
For that reason, tokenmaxxing – namely, the idea that employees should use as many tokens as possible – has become a buzzword among tech companies. Tokens are the basic unit that AI companies use to bill customers.

