Dealers are under pressure to move quickly on AI, but the wrong decision can create cost, complexity, and operational confusion. Building your own AI agents may offer control and customization, while buying from a vendor may offer speed, support, and proven infrastructure. The real challenge is knowing which path fits your dealership.

This panel will examine the business case behind AI decisions, including cost, ownership, integration, liability, staffing, support, and long-term scalability. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for deciding what to build, what to buy, and what should remain fully integrated into existing systems.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the tradeoffs between building custom AI tools and buying vendor solutions.
• Learn how to evaluate AI costs beyond the initial launch.
• Identify operational risks tied to support, permissions, integrations, and data quality.
• Explore when custom AI may create a competitive advantage.
• Discover how to judge whether an AI solution can scale across the dealership.