Artificial Intelligence is changing the way websites and apps are built. What used to take days of manual coding or repetitive testing can now be accelerated with AI tools — from code generation to automated design suggestions. On paper, this should mean development costs plummet. So why are many agencies still charging the same prices as before?

The answer is complicated. Let’s break it down.

Where AI Really Helps

AI is excellent at reducing time-consuming tasks, like:

  • Augmenting developers, generating code as they type.
  • Speeding up QA and testing cycles.
  • Suggesting design layouts and content drafts.
  • Automating routine project management.

At IXN, we’ve seen firsthand how much faster certain parts of the development pipeline move when AI is used effectively. In many cases, tasks that once took hours now take minutes.

Where AI Doesn’t Replace Humans

But here’s the catch: not everything can be automated. AI can’t:

  • Fully understand good design principles and map the designers intention to the final output.
  • End-to-end test its output as it’s working, it never really knows if what it’s created is right.
  • Understand the full requirements and codebase at once, all AI models are limited by the amount of context they can handle.

In short, AI can assist but it can’t own responsibility. That’s still on human experts — and it’s where the bulk of the real value lies.

The Balancing Act: Price vs. Value

Many agencies are pocketing the efficiency gains from AI while keeping their prices static. From a client’s perspective, that feels unfair: if work takes less time, shouldn’t it cost less?

At IXN, we think differently. AI shouldn’t just make our lives easier — it should improve your outcomes. That’s why we pass the benefits of AI on to our clients in two ways:

  • Cost savings: Projects that can genuinely be delivered faster and leaner, are. We find that, in many cases, AI can cut project timings in half for the same quality of output.
  • Enhanced quality: Instead of cutting prices, we can also reinvest those efficiencies into delivering better outcomes — richer features, cleaner code, and sharper designs for the same budget.

The IXN Approach

We believe AI is not just about working faster — it’s about working smarter. By combining automation with our team’s expertise, we ensure our clients get more value for their money spent. Whether that’s a lower project price or a higher-end final product, our clients see the benefit.

Final Thought

AI is transforming web development, but clients shouldn’t be left wondering where the savings went. If your agency isn’t reducing costs or raising quality, it’s time to ask why.

At IXN, we’re committed to transparency: if AI saves us time, it saves you money — or earns you more value. That’s the future of web development we believe in.