The AI spending spree is over. Here are 5 steps to prepare for the next wave of consumption

The era of uncontrolled AI spending appears to be winding down. Organizations are now focusing on a new approach to technology consumption - valuemaxxing, which centers on connecting technology use to measurable business value. To prepare for this next wave of consumption, companies must take five key steps:

First, gain comprehensive visibility across the entire technology stack. With AI spend showing up through various channels like tokens, credits, model usage and GPU consumption, a lack of visibility is leaving organizations making decisions with incomplete information. Only 31% of companies currently have a full view of their technology consumption, so establishing a single source of truth is crucial for informed decision-making.

Second, implement a robust governance model for AI and tech consumption. While early experimentation with AI is important, many companies failed to put adequate oversight in place. With AI governance becoming a priority for larger enterprises (85%), leaders should move from "use more" to "use better" by establishing guardrails to scale responsibly and prevent AI from becoming an uncontrolled cost center.

Third, renegotiate technology contracts to ensure flexibility and accountability. Traditional fixed agreements become increasingly difficult to manage in rapidly changing usage environments. Companies should regularly review vendor contracts to align costs with actual usage patterns and future needs, as AI providers continue introducing new pricing models and monetization strategies.

Fourth, align technology, finance and procurement teams around shared metrics and clear accountability. With usage-based costs impacting multiple departments, organizations that successfully manage consumption build a unified view of usage, cost and value. Establishing common definitions and regular collaboration across teams prevents costly surprises and ensures decisions are intentional.

Finally, leverage AI to move optimization from a reactive to continuous process. As technology consumption grows more complex, AI tools can help detect unusual usage patterns, surface waste, forecast demand and support smarter planning. However, this optimization must be connected to human-defined goals, ensuring teams make better decisions faster with clear insight into usage, cost and business impact.

The era of uncontrolled AI spending is over, giving way to a new focus on accountability, governance and value-driven consumption. Organizations that prioritize visibility, governance, and financial responsibility will be best positioned to scale innovation successfully.