Joseph Melton · October 12, 2026

Questions to ask before an AI data partnership

The interesting number in a pitch is only one part of the decision. Ask how the actual arrangement works.

Scope and use

What exact assets are requested? What is the permitted use? Who receives them? Are training, evaluation, onward transfer or derivative uses included? Can your company review the final scope and representative samples?

Control and handling

What information will be removed? Who performs and verifies that work? Where will the data be stored, who can access it, and what are the retention and deletion obligations? What happens if information is disclosed outside the agreement?

Rights and restrictions

Who owns the underlying material? Is exclusivity requested? What permissions or approvals are needed? How will third-party content and customer obligations be addressed?

Economics and effort

What triggers payment? Is compensation fixed, usage-based or tied to milestones? Who pays for preparation and ongoing work? What happens if data is rejected or the project ends early?

Write down the answers

Request the proposed agreement and a concrete scope before making a commitment. Involve the people in your company responsible for the affected systems and obligations. Resolve unanswered questions before transferring files.