Executive Guide

How SMB Leaders Should Evaluate AI Vendors

The questions I believe business leaders should ask before trusting an AI vendor with company workflows, data or customer interactions.

By Damir Grubisa, CEO of Group 4 Networks · Executive perspective

Ask what problem is actually being solved

A vendor should be able to explain the operational problem and expected outcome without relying on AI buzzwords. If the business case is vague, the implementation usually will be too.

Understand the data path

Leaders should know what information the system receives, where it is processed, how long it is retained, who can access it and what controls exist around sensitive information.

Ask what happens when AI is wrong

Production systems need escalation, logging, human review and safe failure modes. Confidence in a model is not a substitute for operational controls.

Evaluate ownership after launch

Who monitors quality? Who updates integrations? Who responds when the workflow changes? AI is not a one-time installation. A useful system needs an operating model.

About the author

CEO of Group 4 Networks. I write about what I am learning while building and operating technology businesses across managed IT, cybersecurity, automation and practical AI.