Ten questions to ask an AI vendor before you sign

AI vendors range from excellent to opportunistic, and the pitch can sound the same. These questions separate them quickly.

Scope and accountability

• What exactly will be built, and what is not included? Get it in writing.
• Who fixes it if it breaks in month three? A name, not a team.
• Who tests the work, and how? Look for human review before anything goes live.

Data and ownership

• Where does my data go, who can see it, and which third-party tools touch it?
• Do I own the accounts, automations and data at the end? Can I export them?
• Who owns the accounts and automations, and can I export my data? See what do you own when an AI project ends.

Money and commitment

• Is the quote fixed, hourly or open-ended?
• What is the contract term and how do I leave?
• Are there ongoing fees, and what do they cover?

Claims and proof

• Can you show a real example of similar work? Be wary of guarantees about rankings, revenue or AI recommendations.
• How do you handle AI errors? A good answer mentions review, limits and escalation.

How Swaha AI answers these

Work is scoped and quoted in writing before it starts, one named operator fixes issues and is your point of contact, every build is reviewed and tested by a human, and you decide up front what you own. See how pricing works and agency vs fractional partner vs hiring.

Common questions

Want help putting this into practice? See our AI strategy and cost service or request a free read.

This article is general information for small-business owners, not legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Rules and platform policies change; confirm anything that matters with a qualified professional.

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