Fabrik Labs Lightning Talk · April 9, 2026

Build vs. Buy: A Practical AI Framework for Business Leaders

Senior AI architect Tariq Hussain and Fabrik Labs owner Brad Sukala break down what AI can actually do today, where its limits are, and how to make smarter build-vs-buy decisions for your organization.

In This Session

What you'll learn

  • Why a solo developer can now build in a weekend what once required 30 engineers and 18 months—and what that shift means for your team

  • A simple framework for choosing the right AI tools based on what you need to accomplish and your technical capacity

  • The "iceberg" under every AI demo: what it really takes to move from a shiny prototype to production-ready software

  • A clear framework for the build vs. buy decision—including when owning your own codebase is worth it, and when it isn't

  • How enterprises are beginning to wrap legacy systems with agentic workflows—and what small organizations can learn from that shift

Featured Speakers

About the presenters

Featured Guest

Tariq Hussain

Senior AI Architect, Tintash

MIT-trained with over 20 years in software development, Tariq has been building AI-powered solutions since before the term was mainstream. He previously served as Head of AI & Machine Learning at a major Asia-Pacific telecom and now leads AI architecture at Tintash, working with organizations ranging from early-stage startups to large enterprises.

Host

Brad Sukala

Owner, Fabrik Labs

Brad leads Fabrik Labs, a custom software consultancy focused on nonprofits, ed-tech firms, and growing businesses. His work is grounded in the belief that software should fit how organizations actually work—not the other way around. He partners with specialists like Tintash to bring the right expertise to each engagement.

Let's Talk

Have questions about your own build vs. buy decision?

Whether you're evaluating a new AI tool, outgrowing your current software, or wondering if custom development makes sense—we're happy to think it through with you.

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