THE CASE: Overhyped AI Purchase
Gaurav attended a vendor demo promising "80% ticket reduction." Impressive ROI projections. He bought. 6 months later: only 15% reduction. The 80% was based on ideal conditions that didn't match his use case. ₹25L wasted on overhyped tech.
The Core Insight
AI vendor market = Wild West. 70% of vendor claims are inflated (Gartner). 50% fail to integrate with existing systems (IBM). Pilot programs reduce failed implementations by 60%.
The Evidence
70% of vendor claims inflated (Gartner)
50% fail to integrate (IBM)
Pilot programs: 60% fewer failures (Deloitte)
The AI Vendor Scorecard
Before Buying Any AI Tool, Demand:
- Customer references (actual customers you can call)
- Pilot period (test with real data)
- Transparent metrics ("80% reduction" in what scenario?)
AI Vendor Scorecard Questions
- Problem fit? Does it solve your actual problem?
- Data compatibility? Does it work with your data?
- Proof of value? Can they prove claims with references?
- Vendor transparency? Willing to be questioned?
Sources
- Gartner. AI Vendor Evaluation. 2023.
- IBM. AI Implementation Challenges. 2023.
Key Takeaways
- 70% of AI vendor claims are inflated
- Always demand: customer references, pilot period, transparent metrics
- Use the AI Vendor Scorecard before any purchase