Over the past few years, many companies have sent a simple message to their employees: “use artificial intelligence, and use it in everything.” The intention was good: to accelerate the work and not be left behind. But the result was not always what was expected.
According to reports on large companies, uncontrolled use of AI can skyrocket invoices, create low-quality work, and force other employees to correct what seemed finished.
The token-maxxing problem
Every time an AI tool processes text, it consumes units of work. The longer, more repeated or more complex the query, the more it consumes. If hundreds of people use AI for anything, multiple times and with expensive models, the expense adds up quickly.
This abuse has been called “token-maxxing”: squeezing the AI without asking whether that task really needs it.
Agentic AI can cost a lot more
AI agents that execute several steps on their own can be useful, but they are also more time-consuming. If used without design, a task that was supposed to save time can end up generating a larger bill and more human review.
Work that seems good, but is not
The cost is not just money. When AI is used without criteria, generic texts, superficial analyzes or answers that sound professional but do not resolve appear. Someone else has to review, correct or redo.
In that case, AI did not save work. He just moved it from one person to another.
The lesson: neither everything, nor anything
“Use AI for everything” is as bad advice as “don't use AI for anything.” Extremes cost money. Serious implementation is in the middle: use AI where it contributes, with the right tool, with human control and with measured spending.
What can you do differently in your company?
- Don't force AI to be used in everything. I defined specific tasks.
- I chose the correct model for each job.
- Control consumption and review which tasks generate the most cost.
- I measured quality, not just speed.
- Train your people to use AI wisely.
How we see it in Ezelero
We are not going to tell you “use AI for everything.” We help you use it where it suits you, with spending under control and with measurable results. The goal is not for your team to use AI out of obligation. The goal is to work better.
One person who knows when to use AI is worth more than ten people using it blindly.
Ezelero editorial article based on international economic press reports on AI spending, token consumption and uncontrolled corporate use. The approach is practical: costs, training and quality of work.
Frequently asked questions
Is it advisable to force the team to use AI in everything?
No. It is advisable to define specific tasks where AI adds value, train the team and measure results. Forcing it to be used in everything can generate costs and low quality.
What is token-maxxing?
It is using AI excessively or unnecessarily, consuming more resources than the task requires. It can skyrocket costs without improving the result.
How to control AI spending in a company?
Defining use cases, limits, appropriate models, human managers and consumption reports by task or process.
Do you want to apply AI with numbers, not smoke?
We review your current process, choose a small pilot and define how to measure if it really suits your company.