do you need your own GPU to build an AI app, or can you just use an API?

The honest default: you probably don't need one

For most apps, the AI part is one API call. You send text (or an image) to a model provider, they run it on their GPUs, and you get a response back — your own app just needs a normal, cheap server…

When you actually do need a GPU

If you need one: pod vs serverless, in plain words

Two ways to rent a GPU, and beginners mix them up. A pod is a GPU you rent by the hour — it stays on and it's yours until you shut it down. Great for development, training, or a steadily-busy…