Five questions to ask before adding another AI tool.

Before adding another subscription to your list, pause for a short conversation. These five questions can help turn interest in a tool into a more useful evaluation.

1. What job are we asking it to do?

Name the task and the person responsible for it. Be specific about the output you need. A tool that does many impressive things may still be a poor fit for this particular job.

2. What information will it need?

List the inputs. Check whether your organization allows that information to be shared with the service and review the relevant terms and settings. If the answer is unclear, resolve it before using real business data.

3. Who will review the result?

Decide who has the knowledge to spot errors, omissions, or an answer that sounds plausible but misses the point. Make review part of the workflow, with enough time and authority to correct the result.

4. What would make it worthwhile?

Agree on what you will compare: time, quality, consistency, or another practical measure. Include setup, review, corrections, and ongoing maintenance in the picture.

5. What happens if we stop using it?

Think about how you would retrieve your work, continue the process, and remove access. Knowing how to step away can make a decision to start more considered.

You do not need perfect answers to begin a discussion. You do need to know which questions remain open.