This article details how Nigerian and other developing country developers struggle with disproportionately high AI costs, like ChatGPT's $20/month, which can represent 10-15 days of their salary. It proposes a $2 alternative to address this economic barrier, highlighting the issue of geographic wealth extraction.
The content discusses the problem of Big Tech AI pricing, illustrating how ChatGPT's $20/month cost is prohibitive in many developing countries. This creates a significant barrier for billions of people and hinders global competitiveness, as pricing is optimized only for Western markets.
Inspired by Google I/O 2026, the author plans to develop a Telugu-first AI assistant. This initiative aims to make AI more accessible to students in India who prefer learning and communicating in regional languages, fostering faster learning and confidence.
SimplyLouie, a startup inspired by a rescue dog, aims to democratize AI access by offering services like Claude for $2/month. This contrasts with the $20/month charged by other services, which represents a disproportionate economic burden for developers in developing countries like Nigeria and and the Philippines.
The cost of a ChatGPT Plus subscription represents a significantly larger percentage of income for developers in countries like Nigeria (9.1%) compared to the US (0.24%), highlighting a global economic disparity in AI access. The relative cost for a Nigerian developer can be up to 64 times higher than for one in the US.
The article criticizes the $20/month AI subscription, like ChatGPT, arguing it's a disproportionate burden for developers in emerging markets. It highlights that a Nigerian developer spends 64 times more of their income on AI than a US developer, characterizing the situation as "gaslighting."
A developer, inspired by his rescue dog Louie, created SimplyLouie, a $2/month Claude-powered AI assistant designed to make AI accessible and affordable for developers globally. Half of all revenue generated by SimplyLouie will be donated to animal rescue organizations, fulfilling a promise made in honor of his dog.
Inspired by his rescue dog, the author developed a $2/month AI solution for individuals who cannot afford ChatGPT. He realized ChatGPT's $20/month subscription is equivalent to several days' wages in many developing countries, rendering it an inaccessible luxury.
The article argues that $2/month AI services, like SimplyLouie, which often use the same underlying models as more expensive options, are significantly more cost-effective than $20/month subscriptions from major providers. It highlights the substantial savings for users globally and the disproportionate cost burden for individuals in lower-income countries.