An AI vendor contract is where the promises made in a demo either become real commitments — or don’t. The terms you insist on determine whether you’re protected on data, lock-in, and cost. Here’s what to look for, and how dgm fits. (dgm implements osFoundry, a separate company’s platform — we are not osFoundry.)

The terms that matter

  • Data use — an explicit, written commitment that your data isn’t used to train the vendor’s models, and stays under appropriate controls (the critical one).
  • Model and vendor flexibility — you’re not locked to one model.
  • Exit and data portability — you can leave with your data in usable formats, without rebuilding everything.
  • Security and compliance — commitments appropriate to your sector (in healthcare, a BAA; see AI compliance in the US).
  • Clear, predictable pricing — no opaque or ballooning costs.
  • Liability and uptime — what happens when things go wrong.

The data-use clause is critical

The single most important clause for most businesses is data use. Get a written commitment that your data isn’t used to train the vendor’s models and is protected — ideally with a data-protection addendum (or BAA where health data is involved). This is the most common concern and the one most worth nailing down explicitly.

Address lock-in in writing

Lock-in often hides in contracts — terms that make leaving costly or data hard to export. Insist on exit and data-portability terms so you can leave with your data, and model flexibility so you’re not tied to one provider (see how to avoid lock-in). Address it before signing, not after.

Get it in writing — and get counsel

A demo or sales claim isn’t a contract. The terms that protect you have to be in the written agreement. For anything significant — especially in regulated sectors — have counsel review it.

How dgm fits

dgm’s transparent, fixed pricing and model-agnostic approach (your data under your control, no lock-in) address the main concerns directly, and dgm is an integration partner rather than a single-model vendor. For any significant agreement, a contract review by your counsel is still wise. If you’d rather explore the platform yourself first, go straight to osFoundry; if you want a partner whose model avoids the usual contract traps, that’s where dgm comes in.