The session features EMA research vice president Christopher M. Steffen and Strike Graph CEO Justin Beals. Their discussion centers on the reality that AI integration has evolved into a complex risk management challenge, forcing finance and security departments to scrutinize the hidden costs of token consumption and data exposure. Companies are discovering that the expected productivity gains from AI often fail to materialize, overshadowed by mounting operational risks and unpredictable vendor costs.

Beals argues that current financial inefficiencies are merely symptoms of a deeper structural failure. Many organizations integrated AI tools without establishing foundational protocols for data handling, vendor transparency, or system recovery. Until these governance structures mature, the current procurement process remains a high-stakes gamble. Attendees will examine specific criteria for evaluating AI vendors, including how model training methodologies and architectural choices dictate long-term security posture and cost predictability.