Why read this
Read this before reducing a complex shortlist to a vendor score or signing a pilot statement of work.
Compare the job, not the logo
Put products in the same category only when they address a comparable job. Record intended use, evidence scope, deployment model, integration burden, support, and the buyer capability required to operate each option.
Evidence: NIST AI Risk Management Framework
Ask for evidence that can be checked
Request current security and privacy material, evaluation results, customer references, accessibility information, service levels, data-processing terms, incident history, model-change notices, and exit commitments. Separate a supplied claim from independently checked evidence.
Evidence: NIST Generative AI Profile, FTC guidance on AI claims
Price the whole operating model
Include implementation, integration, training, review, monitoring, incident response, data preparation, change management, and exit. A low licence price is not low cost if the buyer must build the missing control plane.
Evidence: CISA AI cybersecurity guidance
Questions for the buying team
- What exact job and outcome are being bought?
- What evidence is independent, local, dated, and relevant?
- What is the full cost and responsibility for operating, monitoring, changing, and exiting the system?
Local evidence boundary: this guide organises questions and sources. It is not a legal, security, clinical, financial, procurement, or implementation approval.
Sources and further reading
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework standards guidance
- NIST Generative AI Profile standards guidance
- FTC guidance on AI claims standards guidance
- CISA AI cybersecurity guidance standards guidance