Gartner forecasts that by 2028, 70 percent of enterprises will stop using agentic AI systems built with vendor help. The firm calls this "forward‑deployed engineering" (FDE), where a vendor’s engineers embed with a customer to build custom AI. Gartner warns the model can create early gains but leaves companies dependent on pricey outside expertise. It advises leaders to use FDE only for truly complex, tightly integrated problems, or risk paying premium fees without gaining internal control.
Why it matters
Companies may face high ongoing costs and lose control of their AI systems if they rely on external engineers.
