PIPELINEGuide
AI training: compare providers — what really matters
Quotes on AI training are hard to compare because everyone includes something different. The questions that reveal the differences — and the warning signs.
When comparing providers for AI training, what matters less than the stated price is the question of what happens afterwards: who supports the system after going live, and what does a later adjustment cost. That's the difference that only shows up after a few months.
01 — Criteria
How quotes differ
- What exactly is included. Two quotes with the same total can cover completely different deliverables. Ask for scope as a list, not as running text.
- Who delivers what. Content, images, data, access — if it's not specified, it becomes a point of conflict later.
- What operation costs. Calculated over three years, including licenses, hosting, and support.
- What happens if you want to switch. Do you get access, data, and documentation? The answer to this question says more about a provider than any reference.
- Who actually does the work. With small providers this matters: who sits in the meeting, and who then does it.
02 — Questions
Questions you should ask
- What happens if the project becomes more expensive than estimated — who bears that?
- Who owns data, access, and, if developed, the source code?
- What does operation cost in the second and third year?
- What does the documentation we receive at the end look like?
- How would you measure whether the project was successful?
- Is there a case in which you would advise us against this?
03 — Warning signs
When to be skeptical
- Guaranteed results. Anyone promising top Google ranking or a specific revenue increase is selling something they can't deliver.
- No pushback. A provider who thinks every project is a good idea has either not listened or is only selling.
- Time pressure. Limited-time discounts on project prices are a sales tool, not an offer.
- Unclear ownership. Anyone who won't clearly say who owns data and access doesn't have your interests at heart.
- No contact with technical expertise. If only sales sits in the first meeting, that's where misunderstandings arise.
04 — Scope
What's included
- Fundamentals without jargon: what these systems do and where their limits are
- Practical exercises on your real tasks — proposal texts, minutes, research
- Prompt techniques that actually work in daily practice
- Data protection: what belongs in, what doesn't, and why
- Written usage policy for your business as a deliverable
- Follow-up session after four weeks, when the first practical questions arise
05 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the EU AI Act require training?
For businesses that use AI systems, there is an obligation to ensure adequate AI competency among the people working with them. A documented training is the easiest way to demonstrate compliance.
Is this also useful for executives who don't do much typing themselves?
Yes, for a different reason: They need to be able to assess where these tools make sense in the team and where risks lie — that's independent of whether they work with them daily themselves.
Won't that be outdated after three months?
The tools change, the mindset doesn't. The focus is on when such a system is appropriate and how you verify its output — that remains valid even if the interface looks different.
Do you also cover industry-specific applications?
Yes, as far as known in advance. Bring your typical tasks — quote texts, protocols, customer correspondence — and we'll practice on exactly those instead of generic examples.
Can we do this online as well?
Yes, then usually in two half-days instead of one full day — concentrated screen work over eight hours doesn't work well.
Do our people need prior knowledge?
No. We start from zero and divide the exercises according to prior knowledge. Experience shows that every team has both extremes.
What if individual employees don't want to?
That happens and it's not a disaster. We train everyone equally, but no one is forced to use it — experience shows that changes on its own once colleagues see the benefits.
Next step
Initial assessment, no obligation.
Briefly describe what you need. You'll get an honest answer about what's realistic and what it will roughly cost.