Insights
What Is the FISTA Applied Division?
Meet the FISTA Applied Division: the forward-deployed engineering practice that runs the same embedded model as the frontier AI labs, for your hardest problems.
2 min
FISTA field notes / Insights
Insights
6 field notes on insights.
Archive
Insights
6 field notes
Insights
Why Forward Deployed Engineers Are in Demand
Postings for the role surged and a16z called it the hottest job in tech. Why demand for forward deployed engineers exploded—and what it means for buyers.
1 min
Insights
How OpenAI and Anthropic Use Forward Deployed Engineers
OpenAI runs Forward Deployed Engineering; Anthropic runs Applied AI. How the frontier labs embed engineers with customers—and why the model is now mainstream.
1 min
Insights
The Palantir Forward Deployed Engineer Model
Palantir invented the forward deployed engineer. How the model worked, why it spread across the AI industry, and what it means when you hire one today.
1 min
Insights
Forward Deployed Engineer ROI: The Business Case
The ROI of a forward deployed engineer is the value of an outcome that finally ships versus the quiet cost of an initiative that stalls. How to build the case.
1 min
Insights
Build vs Buy AI: How to Decide
Build custom AI when it is a differentiator; buy when the need is generic. A decision framework for build vs buy—and the hybrid path most teams actually take.
1 min
Start with the hard problem
Turn the next difficult system into a field note worth writing.
Tell us where delivery is constrained. We’ll map the fastest credible path from intent to verified production.