Brains before bots
Frequently asked questions.
If your question isn't here, book a 30-minute discovery call — no obligation, no pitch.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How is this different from AI implementation consulting?
Implementation consultancies focus on what AI can do. Fractional AI leadership focuses on what AI should be allowed to do, where, and under whose authority — before you scale it. We build the operational structure that holds up when clients, pitches, or procurement test it. We don't push tools or builds.
Do you deploy or manage AI systems?
No. Brains Before Bots is a no-build consultancy. We don't design, train, fine-tune, or deploy AI models. We make sure that when AI tools are used, they're used intentionally, visibly, and accountably — with structure your clients and teams trust.
Will this help us respond to enterprise RFP questions?
Yes. Our deliverables are designed to support common enterprise requirements: disclosure of AI use and tooling, data handling and retention practices, human oversight and accountability, evidence of governance controls. Clients typically use our outputs directly in RFP responses, security reviews, and client audits.
Is this relevant if we're not heavily using AI yet?
Yes — especially then. Most enterprise governance frameworks assume you already have documented workflows, clear data ownership, and defined decision rights. We help you put these in place before AI adoption accelerates — so structure scales with usage, not as retrofit after the fact. Early adopters of operational structure will win contracts later adopters can't.
Are you AIGP certified or ISO 42001 certified?
We're aligned with recognised AI governance principles referenced by bodies such as the International Association of Privacy Professionals, NIST, and ISO. We don't present ourselves as a certification body or enterprise compliance auditor. Our role is to put the operational foundations in place — inventory, workflow controls, data handling, and decision rights. From there, you can confidently meet enterprise expectations and engage specialist partners where needed.
We're a small agency. Isn't this overkill?
AI usage scales with team size — five people create the same operational exposure as fifty when tools are used informally. Enterprise procurement cares whether you can answer their questions, not your headcount. Structure is more important for smaller agencies because you don't have legal teams or compliance officers. The £500 assessment shows whether your exposure justifies investment. Most discover it does.
What's the difference between your services and hiring a full-time Head of AI?
A full-time Head of AI costs £80-120K annually plus benefits. You're hiring for strategy, oversight, and procurement confidence — but you may not need 40 hours/week. Fractional AI leadership gives you the same outcomes — documented structure, team training, procurement readiness — at £2,500/month with no long-term commitment. Operator expertise when you need it, without the overhead when you don't.
Why are your prices lower than Big 4 consultancies?
Big 4 consultancies charge £50K+ for similar engagements because they're covering the overhead of large teams, partner structures, and enterprise infrastructure. We operate as a focused, operator-led practice — lower overhead, higher direct expertise. The same governance outcomes without the consultancy markup. You work directly with the person who built the frameworks, not a junior consultant running a playbook.
GET IN TOUCH
Still have questions?
Book a 30-minute discovery call. No obligation. No pitch. Just a conversation about whether AI governance is the right priority for your agency right now.
Brains Before Bots provides fractional AI leadership and operational governance services. We do not offer legal advice or perform formal certification audits.