Understanding AI Usage and Charges

Every Trustero contract includes a negotiated amount of AI usage, whether the agreement is annual or for three years. When budgeting, factor in that included usage and any applicable unused balances before estimating additional prepaid purchases.

AI usage pricing

The prices above are list prices. Use the pricing in your agreement when calculating any additional usage purchase.

How usage costs are calculated

Multiply the number of activities by the applicable rate. For example, 100 control tests at the $5 list price represent $500 in usage. A 100-question questionnaire answered at $2 each represents $200 in usage.

For TPRM, pricing will be based on both questionnaire questions answered and evaluation steps. Include the expected count of each in your estimate.

TPRM usage at list price = (questions answered x $2) + (evaluation steps x $2)

How prepaid usage works

Your contract includes a negotiated allocation of AI usage. Additional usage is purchased in advance when more is needed. For multiyear agreements, use the allocation specified in your contract when planning an individual year. Contact your Trustero representative to arrange additional prepaid usage.

What happens to unused balances

Unused balances roll over for future use. Include applicable rollover when establishing the total usage available for the period you are budgeting for.

How to build your annual AI budget

1. Confirm available usage. Identify the negotiated allocation and applicable rollover available for your budget period, counting each balance once.
2. Forecast activity. Estimate control tests, questions answered, and TPRM evaluation steps, including planned changes in your program.
3. Calculate additional usage needed. Compare expected activity with available usage in each applicable category. Any shortfall is the additional usage to purchase.
4. Apply the agreed rates. Multiply the additional units required by your account's rates. For a 2027 budget, use the allocation and rates that apply to that period under your contract.

Example of an annual AI usage estimate

The example below uses hypothetical annual volumes, current list prices, and the planned TPRM pricing shown above.

These activities represent $7,280 in usage at list prices, before accounting for the usage included in your contract and applicable rollover. The 600 questions include any questionnaire answers. Your additional prepaid purchase covers any shortfall after we apply the included usage and rollover.

Example with included usage: If you plan 1,200 control tests and have 1,000 included tests plus 100 rolled-over tests available, you would need 100 additional tests. At list price, this is $500 in additional prepaid usage for control tests.

Customer consumption reporting

To estimate future AI usage and plan your budget, use the “Guided AI Usage Budget Planner” TI Playbook.

1. Go to the TI Playbook home page.
2. Filter by the Reporting category, or use the search in the top right to search for Guided AI Usage Budget Planner.
3. Open the playbook and follow the guided questions.

The playbook uses available account information and asks one question at a time to estimate control testing, questionnaire answers, and other TPRM activity. It accounts for your confirmed included AI usage and applicable rollover when estimating additional prepaid usage, and identifies any missing information needed to complete the estimate.

For help confirming your included allocation or rollover balance, contact your Trustero representative.