FAQ

DayOne is a vetted network of AI professionals — the human layer between growing businesses and their AI aspirations. It runs a closed, professional network rather than an open marketplace, focused on quality over quantity. DayOne matches businesses with fractional leads, AI build teams, permanent hires, contractors and implementation specialists — the humans closest to their problem. Members include developers, AI and ML specialists, product designers, product managers, forward-deployed engineers, AI governance specialists and AI-native operators.

AI tools are easy to buy. Knowing which ones matter to your business, building them properly and getting your team to use them is people work. DayOne supplies those people — and the judgement to know which ones you need.

Marketplaces optimise for volume: more profiles, more choice, more sifting on your side. A closed network optimises for fit. Every member is vetted before they join, so you see a short list of the right people rather than a long list of possible ones.

We help organisations benchmark how they use AI today — where it's working, where it's missing and how they compare with similar businesses — so decisions about what to build and who to bring in are based on evidence, not hype.

Growing businesses that know AI should be doing more for them but aren't sure where to start, who to hire, or whether what they've already built is pulling its weight.

Fractional leads — senior AI, product or technical leadership, part-time. AI build teams — small crews that design and ship AI systems. Permanent hires — when you've validated the role and want someone full-time. Contractors — specialists for a defined piece of work. Implementation specialists — the people who get your team actually using what's been built.

Usually with understanding the problem before anyone is matched. We look at what your business needs and how you use AI today, then recommend the right shape of help — one fractional lead, a build team, a hire, or a mix. Typical time from first call to recommendation/shortlist: 3 days.

Often not yet. Most businesses get further by bringing in a senior fractional lead to set direction, a build team to ship the first systems and an implementation specialist to make them stick — then hiring permanently once the role is proven. When you are ready to hire, DayOne can find that person too.

Yes. Permanent placement is one of the ways we match. Many clients start fractional, learn exactly what the role needs to be, then hire for it. Placement fees range between 5% and 10% depending on seniority.

Tell us early — we'll do the same. Most engagements show whether they're working within the first couple of weeks, and we'd rather adjust quickly than let you spend budget on the wrong fit.

With a clear picture, not a purchase. Benchmark where you are, find the one or two workflows where AI would make the biggest difference, build those properly, and make sure people use them before you move on to the next.

An engineer who works inside your business — your tools, your channels, your workflows — and builds AI systems around how you actually operate, rather than delivering something from the outside and leaving.

Because AI that touches customer data, decisions or regulated processes needs clear rules: what models are used, what data they see, who's accountable and how outputs are checked. Governance specialists set that up so you can move fast without creating risk you'll pay for later.

Our members build with providers and settings that don't train on your data by default, and you'll know exactly which models and services your systems use.

It depends on who you need and for how long — a fractional lead for two days a month is priced very differently from a build team for three months, or a permanent placement. We scope each brief and give you a clear proposal.

Typically: monthly retainers for fractional leads, milestones or retainers for build teams and contractors, and a placement fee for permanent hires.

You do. Anything built for you is assigned to you and lives in your accounts and repositories from day one.

Experienced AI professionals: developers, AI and ML specialists, product designers, product managers, forward-deployed engineers, AI governance specialists and AI-native operators. We look for people who've shipped real work for real organisations and can hold their own in front of a client.

To keep the quality bar high for clients and the work worth having for members. A smaller, vetted network means better matches and less racing to the bottom on price.

We hand-select our AI professionals. They should have a portfolio of evidence, specific to AI. Every member is interviewed by another member. We assess how they communicate and own outcomes, not just their stack.

No. Members take on fractional, contract and project work alongside their own commitments, and some are open to permanent roles. You choose what you're matched for.