AIAI is a non-profit applied researech and technology transfer organisation that it supports its operations through a variety of government grants and commercial projects.

Each year, AIAI publishes its service rates for working with clients. These rates are set by the management of the Institute to meet the Institute's financial objective as a "not-for-profit" applied research group within the University of Edinburgh. The rates include consultants or researchers charges per man day plus provision for general computing support (see Computing Charge below), overheads and all other costs, except for project specific travel and subsistence, and any special project equipment. These charges are within the charging range for University staff recommended by University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Research & Innovation.

Project Rate: Project Rates are applied to contracts where AIAI staff are contracted for project work of 50 man days or longer per twelve month period.

Consultancy Rate: AIAI staff who are engaged on consultancy work or shorter term project work are charged at the Institute's consultancy rate.

Computing Charge: Project and Consultancy rates include an allowance of 5 connect hours per day of general computing provision. Planned usage of computers in excess of this is charged at a rate of £5 per connect hour. Items of computing equipment or software required for a project outside of the AIAI computing portfolio will be treated as project expenses.

Visitor Rates: Visitor Rates are based on a monthly charge. This charge gives visitors a desk, an allowance of 5 connect hours per day of general computing provision, and access to resources at AIAI including the AI Library, AI Seminars, reasonable use of telephone and other communications services, stationery and limited secretarial services. The monthly charges are:

• Monthly charge for single visits of less than 3 months: £1200
• Monthly charge for single visits of 3 months and longer: £900

Training Services: AIAI runs occasional courses in Edinburgh. Prices are set for each attendee place. But AIAI's main training offerings are designed to meet specific client requirements. Courses can be given at the client site or in Edinburgh in the majority of cases. These are based on a number of course modules and materials prepared by AIAI staff.

Affiliates of AIAI: A company or organisation that has a work plan with the Institute for a period of 2 years or more and where the value of the annual services is £30,000 or greater may elect to become an "Affiliate" of the Institute. Any of the AIAI services can be included in the Affiliateship work plan. In return for the forward commitment and planning, the Institute offers a number of benefits to an Affiliate, which include:

• Project rates applying to all work packages;
• Long term visitor rates applying to all visits;
• 10% discount on standard scheduled training courses;

Associates of AIAI: AIAI seeks to build a long term association with its affiliates. Previous affiliates of AIAI who continue to have a contractual relationship with AIAI, but one which does not reach the level of work for an affiliateship are called "Associates" of AIAI.

Validity of Prices: These charges are valid for all contracts of two years or less in duration which are signed before 1st May 2009 and where work commences before 1st August 2009. Charges set on longer term contracts (e.g. 2 year affiliateships) where the contracts are in place before 1st May 2008 are not affected.

Travel and Subsistence: Travel is normally arranged using the rules that would apply to similar staff in the organisation which is placing the contract with AIAI.

Value Added Tax (VAT): VAT at the current rate will be charged on the appropriate services of the Institute for those clients and in those countries to which it should apply.

IPR: AIAI is a technology transfer organisation which refines AI techniques and methods over a period of many years and in work with many funding agencies and clients. Its standard practice is to retain rights over generic methods, techniques and technologies in order for them to be reused. AIAI uses its IPR on specific company projects with specific company information and the company therefore have exclusive access to those results, except for those cases where AIAI is explicitly granted reuse rights from the company.