White Paper

Governing AI Token Spend

A Five-Layer Defense Framework for Enterprise Procurement Leaders<br>

The era of predictable AI pricing is ending. As vendors shift to token-based billing, agentic workflows, and consumption-driven pricing models, enterprise AI costs are becoming harder to forecast and control. This white paper introduces NPI’s Five-Layer Defense Framework, a practical approach for helping procurement leaders gain visibility into token consumption, reduce waste, strengthen contract protections, and build lasting leverage before AI spend spirals out of control.

What You’ll Learn  

  • Where AI token spend really comes from — and why it escalates so quickly
  • The five layers of governance that help enterprises control AI costs before they spiral
  • The contract terms that protect against repricing, model changes, and runaway consumption
  • How model routing and open-source AI can reduce costs while increasing leverage
  • How to turn vendor pricing changes into negotiation opportunities instead of budget surprises