Oh, it very much is a big deal. In a setting where users can switch models easily and with no downsides, market forces will give us better and cheaper AI over time. If switching models is painful (as in, losing part of your context), the providers can create vendor lock-in, enshittify the user experience, and drive up cost. Even if there are workarounds right now, those AI providers have every incentive to make freedom-seekers more miserable over time.

It is disheartening that some AI companies are now setting the stage for enshittification. I hope we can collectively dodge that bullet.