Terms of Service

1. Service Description

Tide Shift AI ("we," "us," or "our") provides AI integration consulting, development, and ongoing support services to small and medium-sized businesses. Our services include AI readiness assessments, strategy development, custom AI solution implementation, staff training, and ongoing optimization support.

2. Service Tiers

We offer the following engagement models:

• Quick Start: Focused AI integration projects with defined scope and deliverables, typically completed within 2-4 weeks.
• Growth: Comprehensive AI strategy and multi-phase implementation engagements, typically spanning 1-3 months.
• Transform: Full-scale AI transformation programs including strategy, implementation, training, and ongoing support over 3-6 months.
• A La Carte: Individual services such as assessments, training workshops, or advisory sessions scoped on a per-engagement basis.

Pricing for each engagement is determined during the scoping process and documented in a signed Statement of Work (SOW) prior to commencement.

3. Payment Terms

Project-based engagements require a deposit as specified in the SOW, with the balance invoiced upon completion of defined milestones. Retainer-based engagements are invoiced monthly with payment due net 30 days from the invoice date. Late payments may incur a fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.

4. Intellectual Property

Upon full payment, the client owns all deliverables created specifically for their engagement, including custom code, documentation, configurations, and reports. Tide Shift AI retains ownership of general methodologies, frameworks, tools, and knowledge developed independently or across multiple client engagements. We may use anonymized, aggregated insights from engagements to improve our services and methodologies.

5. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to protect the other's confidential information with the same degree of care used to protect their own confidential information, but no less than reasonable care. Confidential information includes business strategies, technical implementations, financial data, customer information, and any materials marked as confidential. This obligation survives the termination of services for a period of two (2) years.

6. Data Handling

We take client data seriously. Tide Shift AI does not use client data to train AI models, whether our own or third-party models. Client data accessed during engagements is used solely to deliver the contracted services. We implement appropriate security measures to protect client data in our possession and will delete or return all client data within 30 days of engagement completion upon request.

7. Limitation of Liability

Our services are provided on an "as is" basis. While we strive for excellence, we do not guarantee specific business outcomes or results from AI implementations. Tide Shift AI's total liability under any engagement shall not exceed the fees paid by the client for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim. In no event shall either party be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits or business interruption.

8. Termination

For project-based engagements, either party may terminate with written notice. The client is responsible for payment for work completed up to the date of termination. For retainer-based engagements, either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice. Upon termination, we will deliver all completed work product and assist with a reasonable transition period.

9. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to active clients at least 30 days before they take effect. Continued engagement with our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts located in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

11. Contact

For questions about these Terms, email us at legal@tideshiftai.com.