Buying AI: A CIO’s Guide to Vendor Decisions and Cost Control

AI investments often appear straightforward, but CIOs quickly encounter a long tail of hidden expenses — from data integration and governance to ongoing tuning and model operations. Rising renewal prices and fragmented business‑led buying make vendor choices riskier and more complex, underscoring the need for unified governance and stronger IT sourcing and procurement partnership. In this session, you’ll learn how to evaluate vendors through a long‑term lens, avoid lock‑in, strengthen decision frameworks and apply FinOps discipline and advisory oversight to control costs, reduce risk and maximize enterprise value.

• Uncover the true cost drivers behind AI tools, including renewals, data work and ongoing operational demands
• Use IT sourcing and procurement as a strategic advisor to guide business‑led buying and reduce investment regret
• Evaluate AI vendors for long‑term fit, sovereignty, ecosystem implications and lock‑in risk

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