DigitalRoute Report Finds Most Firms Lack Clarity on AI Costs

DigitalRoute has released a new global study showing that only 8% of organizations fully understand the true cost of delivering AI features, according to a press release. The report, titled AI State of Monetization 2026: The Year Pricing Broke, found that 47% of respondents cite rising AI related costs as a top challenge.

The study indicates that many companies are struggling to forecast AI usage and revenue. Only 23% say their organization is highly accurate at predicting AI related fluctuations, while 61% report that revenue predictability has become more difficult. Margin protection has now become the leading priority for 35% of respondents.

DigitalRoute’s findings show no consensus on how to monetize AI. About 25% of organizations fully bundle AI into existing offers, 18% use paid add ons, 15% charge via API usage, and 12% apply outcome based pricing. Nearly a quarter remain undecided or experimental.

High quality usage data is emerging as a critical factor for AI monetization. Three quarters of respondents say real time usage data is materially important, yet 38% identify managing and leveraging this data as a major challenge. The report concludes that most organizations lack the commercial infrastructure needed to turn AI usage into consistent and profitable revenue.