Most businesses say they've been caught out by unexpected high AI bills

Asana data finds 82% of firms have faced unexpected AI bills in the past year

Risky AI outcomes have affected more than half (53%)

AI systems lack context and workers are being forced to pick up the pieces

Four in five (82%) UK IT leaders say their organization has experienced unexpected or unplanned AI-related cost increases in the last 12 months, with many investing heavily in the tech but unable to predict the true full breadth of costs, including deployment, governance, integration and scaling.

The data, revealed by Asana, suggests businesses are indeed moving from pilot to scaled adoption, but they're not considering the cost changes associated with broader deployment.

Organizations are also struggling to prove their ROI, but IT leaders are under increasing pressure to deliver to the board.

AI bills are soaring

"The challenge now is turning that into measurable business value," Asana UKI and Northern Europe Head Christina Francis commented.

Three in five (61%) British ITDMs say they're either highly or fully accountable for AI-driven business outcomes, but those outcomes aren't always proving to be so positive. Half (53%) say an AI tool or agent has taken action in the past year that's landed them in hot water, such as financial damage, legal issues or reputational harm.

Actual deployments might not be so well-thought-out either, because half (46%) say AI projects often fail because they lack complete context without access to workflows, internal knowledge and business processes. More than a third (37%) of knowledge workers even spend upwards of 30 minutes every day correcting AI outputs due to a lack of context.

"AI is most powerful when it has context: the goals, decisions and workflows that sit around the work," Francis added.

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Asana also uncovered the extent of shadow – or unapproved – AI, which leaves companies paying for services that aren't always being used. One in four (25%) say they frequently used unauthorized AI, and two-fifths (38%) regularly use personal AI accounts for work-related tasks.

Ultimately, the report concludes that workers are prepared to accept faster ways of working, but they'll also find alternatives if approved tools aren't up to the task. As ever, the best advice is for companies to meet workers where they are and build a strategy around them to deliver the best ROI and cost savings.

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!