Terms & Conditions

By accessing or using this website (yourcaio.co) or engaging David Cartolano for consulting services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please discontinue use of this site and do not engage consulting services.

These Terms apply to all visitors, clients, and prospective clients. They may be updated from time to time — the current version is always posted at yourcaio.co/terms-and-conditions with the effective date shown above.

David Cartolano provides AI business strategy consulting, fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO) advisory services, AI adoption roadmapping, executive coaching on AI integration, and related consulting engagements ("Services") to businesses and individuals.

The specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees for any consulting engagement are defined in a separate written agreement (Statement of Work, Consulting Agreement, or similar) executed between the parties. These Terms are incorporated by reference into any such agreement.

David Cartolano reserves the right to decline any engagement at his sole discretion.

David Cartolano operates as an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, partner, or joint venturer of any client. Nothing in these Terms or any consulting agreement creates an employment relationship.

As an independent contractor, David Cartolano retains the right to perform services for other clients and is solely responsible for his own taxes, insurance, and business expenses unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Clients do not have the right to control the manner or method by which David Cartolano performs Services, only the result.

Website Content: All content on yourcaio.co — including text, blog posts, graphics, design elements, and code — is owned by David Cartolano and protected under United States copyright law. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without express written permission.

Deliverables: Unless otherwise specified in a signed written agreement, work product created specifically for a client ("Deliverables") becomes the property of the client upon receipt of full payment. David Cartolano retains the right to use generalized methodologies, frameworks, and know-how developed during engagements in future work.

Pre-Existing IP: Any tools, templates, frameworks, or materials that David Cartolano brings to an engagement remain his sole property. A non-exclusive license to use such materials as incorporated into Deliverables may be granted to the client as specified in the applicable agreement.

Both parties agree to keep confidential any non-public, proprietary, or sensitive information disclosed by the other party in connection with consulting engagements ("Confidential Information"). This obligation survives termination of any engagement.

Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly known through no breach of these Terms; (b) was already known to the receiving party prior to disclosure; (c) is independently developed by the receiving party without use of the Confidential Information; or (d) is required to be disclosed by law or court order.

For engagements requiring more robust confidentiality protections (e.g., access to trade secrets, M&A activity, unreleased products), a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be executed.

Fees for consulting services are set forth in the applicable Statement of Work or Consulting Agreement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following default terms apply:

Invoices are due within 14 days of issuance. Late payments are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest charge (18% annually). David Cartolano reserves the right to suspend Services for overdue invoices.

New York Freelance Isn't Free Act Compliance: For engagements valued at $800 or more (or reasonably expected to be), a written contract will be provided as required under New York City Administrative Code § 20-928 et seq. Clients are entitled to a written contract upon request for any engagement at any value.

A deposit or retainer may be required prior to commencement of Services, as specified in the applicable agreement. Deposits are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

Expenses (travel, software, third-party tools) reasonably incurred in connection with Services will be billed to the client with prior written approval.

AI strategy consulting involves inherent uncertainty. David Cartolano will apply professional expertise and best efforts, but makes no guarantee of specific business outcomes, revenue results, cost savings, competitive advantages, or AI adoption timelines.

Results depend on factors outside of David Cartolano's control, including but not limited to: client execution, organizational readiness, third-party technology performance, market conditions, and the evolving nature of AI technology.

Any projections, forecasts, or estimates provided are for planning purposes only and do not constitute guarantees.

This website and all content on it are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Blog posts, articles, and other website content are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal, financial, accounting, or professional advice. You should consult qualified professionals before making business decisions based on any content found on this site.

David Cartolano does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, David Cartolano's total liability to any client or visitor for any claim arising from or related to these Terms, the website, or any consulting services shall not exceed the total fees paid by that client to David Cartolano in the three (3) months preceding the claim.

David Cartolano shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including lost profits, lost data, or business interruption — even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability for certain types of damages; in such jurisdictions, liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

These Terms and any disputes arising from them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms or any consulting engagement shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New York County (Manhattan), New York. Both parties consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in such courts.

Before initiating any formal legal proceeding, the parties agree to attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation. The aggrieved party shall provide written notice of the dispute, and the parties shall have 30 days to reach a resolution.

If good-faith negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved in the courts of New York County as set forth in Section 10.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to prevent irreparable harm.

Either party may terminate a consulting engagement upon written notice as specified in the applicable Consulting Agreement or Statement of Work. In the absence of a specified notice period, 14 days written notice is required.

Upon termination, the client shall pay for all Services rendered through the termination date, plus any non-cancellable expenses already incurred.

David Cartolano reserves the right to terminate any engagement immediately and without liability if the client: (a) fails to pay amounts due; (b) breaches confidentiality obligations; (c) requests services that are unlawful or unethical; or (d) engages in conduct that is harmful, abusive, or harassing.

David Cartolano reserves the right to restrict access to this website at any time, for any reason, without notice.

David Cartolano reserves the right to update these Terms at any time to reflect changes in applicable law, business practices, or the nature of Services offered. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

Continued use of this website or engagement of Services after updated Terms are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. For active consulting engagements, material changes to Terms will be communicated in writing.

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with any applicable Consulting Agreement or Statement of Work, constitute the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter herein and supersede all prior understandings.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Force Majeure: David Cartolano is not liable for delays or failures in performance caused by circumstances beyond his reasonable control, including acts of God, government actions, internet disruptions, or other force majeure events.

No Third-Party Beneficiaries: These Terms are for the benefit of the parties only and do not create rights in any third party.

For questions about these Terms or to discuss a consulting engagement, please use the contact form at yourcaio.co/contact.

David Cartolano operates as an independent consultant based in New York City, New York, USA.