# Together AI's Vipul Ved Prakash says teams are swapping closed models for smaller ones

> Original title: “Token maxing without cost maxing.” That’s the real goal.

- Source: Together AI
- Published: 2026-11-02T19:46:39.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/viecfpqi2g2br6ek9dgy3uq87
- Original: https://x.com/togethercompute/status/2117342642740867577

## Summary

Together AI's Vipul Ved Prakash, speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, says the smartest teams are replacing closed models with smaller, faster ones to keep token usage high while cutting costs. The post frames the goal as "token maxing without cost maxing" and links to a video of the talk. No specific models, prices, or benchmark figures are given.

## Post

“Token maxing without cost maxing.”  That’s the real goal. 

@vipulved at #TCDisrupt on why the smartest teams are swapping closed models for smaller, faster ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niojbz9fbOY