Recently, media outlets reported that OpenAI plans to launch a "PhD-level" AI agent priced at $20,000 per month, aiming to cater to the high-end needs of enterprise users in data-intensive industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This AI agent is capable of conducting complex academic research and tackling various challenges in software development, marking a new level of advancement in artificial intelligence.
OpenAI's "PhD-level" AI agent will offer up to three different service tiers, each with a monthly fee ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. While the price is high, OpenAI believes this pricing model is based on the economic value the product creates for clients, rather than simply relying on usage or token count. OpenAI's CFO stated in an interview that this approach aims to compensate for the massive investment in developing the AI system, especially in an increasingly competitive market.
Image Source Note: Image generated by AI, licensed through Midjourney.
Although the high subscription fee has sparked some online jokes, with some suggesting they'd rather hire a real PhD for that price, OpenAI is clearly targeting large enterprises and industry giants, not individual users. The AI agent will allow companies to pay a fixed fee per employee seat and will be charged based on the actual value derived from the product. This flexible pricing model not only helps attract more enterprise clients but also lowers the barrier to entry for AI adoption.
Unlike traditional chatbots, this "AI agent" aims to automate specific tasks with minimal human intervention. For example, when booking a flight, the AI can automatically search for flight information online, select the best flight, and complete the payment – functionalities far beyond those of currently prevalent conversational AI.
AI agents are increasingly attracting attention from tech companies, with many hoping to capitalize on this emerging market. Competitors like Google have already launched similar tools, vying for a head start in this field. However, OpenAI's co-founder noted that while widespread AI agent adoption may improve enterprise efficiency, it could also lead to higher salaries for employees with unique skills – a phenomenon worth monitoring.