Whisper AI transcription, an open-source automatic speech recognition (ASR) framework introduced by OpenAI, is celebrated for its adaptability, versatility, and cost-efficiency, allowing developers to create diverse voice-enabled applications without incurring licensing fees. However, the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be substantial when considering the expenses related to hosting, maintenance, network usage, security, human resources, and certification requirements. Hosting Whisper AI transcription requires fast GPUs for optimal performance, and significant network and security costs are involved, especially in sensitive industries. The human capital needed to address the system's limitations and maintain it further adds to the TCO, with staffing alone potentially costing around $690,000 annually for a typical team. While Whisper's open-source nature offers freedom, the decision to host it in-house or opt for an alternative solution depends on specific use cases and scalability needs, with some companies finding pre-packaged APIs more practical.