Crunchbase News AI highlights a critical tension in the SaaS market: AI-driven efficiency could both lower costs and unlock new demand, but the balance between these forces remains uncertain. While the article draws on historical examples like coal engines and data centers, it arguably oversimplifies the complexities of today's software ecosystem. The real question is whether AI will democratize access to software tools or simply intensify competition, potentially squeezing margins further. As AI continues to evolve, the SaaS industry may face not just a shift in costs but a fundamental rethinking of value creation.