5 Tips to stop overspending on AI

Below, we share 5 actionable tips to stop overspending on AI. Most of this will be for businesses actively using AI services, from chatbots to workflow optimisation. With new and more advanced models being introduced regularly, as well as the heightening costs of running AI infrastructure, the cost will likely steepen in the future and you should be aware and prepare in advance.

1. Set token limits

AI cost is directly related to the amount of GPU’s used, which is simplified to tokens for input and output. By setting limits, you avoid the extra costs for answers that are longer than you actually need and make your workflow more efficient.

2. Use a mix of models

All models come at different cost, depending on their sophistication. For more simple tasks, you don’t need the most advanced reasoning models that are costing you the most. You can get the same responses from models that are 100 or even 1000 times cheaper!

3. Avoid overuse

Nothing trivial here whatsoever. Don’t put AI everywhere in the business, you simply don’t need to. You are much better of using other standard tools for a vast majority of tasks instead of diverting to AI all the time, and incurring unnecessary cost. You wouldn't use a calculator to work out 2 + 2...

4. Control IAM

This is important not only for cost, but also for data safety in your organisation. Control access to different AI resources in your business. Just like in cloud computing, not everyone needs access to everything, use tiered access, allowing control of usage expenditure. Simple rules will save you thousands (or even millions) further down the line.

5. Focus on the needs, not the wants

AI is a pretty cool tool, for sure, and it’s something we may want to have in our business to make us look progressive. But the reality is, your business may not need this at all. Turns out, you are increasing AI spend to 'fit in' with the trend when in actual fact, it brings no tangible benefit to your business. Spend only on the AI that you actually need, not merely want.