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ZDNet
how to use agents without busting your budget
As businesses increasingly rely on AI agents, the costs tied to token consumption are surging, leading experts to highlight the importance of strategic management. CEOs emphasize creating guidelines and a context for AI use to control expenses while encouraging innovation. Balancing efficient use without budget excess is crucial for sustaining AI investments.
MonitorConfidence: MediumShort term horizon
Published 28 Jul 2026, 14:00 UTC7 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Rising token consumption is a concern for IT professionals.
- Businesses are moving towards 'tokenomics' to manage AI costs.
- Experts recommend guidelines for staff to explore agents efficiently.
- Token maxing represents unsustainable spending practices.
- Innovation should not be stifled by overly strict cost controls.
Interesting facts
- The term 'tokenomics' is increasingly important as AI agents become more integrated into business processes.
- Steve Lucas reported a 10-fold increase in token expenditure for AI services within a year.
- Comparisons were made between excessive AI usage and sugar addiction in terms of sustainability.