The weakest link in this claim is assuming mere observation drives expansion. Tracking model growth is like watching a water level rise in a bucket; you know it's happening, but it doesn't explain why the water is filling up.
OpenRouter's leap from 63 to 668 models isn't just informed by a report; it's a direct business decision driven by competition and user demand, which is a common failure mode in this kind of logic.
For example, if I'm tracking how many new houses are being built in my Montreal suburb, that count doesn't cause construction companies to break ground; they build because of market need, zoning permits, and available materials.
Simply counting what's available doesn't directly populate a dataset or dictate strategic growth.