OpenAI Eyes 'PhD-level' AI Agents Priced At $20,000 Per Month: What Will It do?

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is reportedly planning to launch a series of AI agents with their prices as high as $20,000 per month, according to a report published by The Information. The most expensive AI agent is expected to support PhD-level research. Other artificial intelligence agents are designed for various tasks, including software engineering, high-level research, and sorting and ranking sales leads.

A ‘high-income knowledge worker’ agent is expected to cost $2,000 per month, whereas a software developer agent may be priced at $10,000 per month. These pricing tiers suggest that OpenAI’s agents are designed for distinct professional segments. The $20,000 tier, aimed at PhD-level research, highlights Sam Altman’s aim to support intensive academic research.

While OpenAI has yet to announce a launch date or specific target customers for these products, SoftBank has expressed strong investment interest, committing $3 billion toward OpenAI’s agent technology this year.

The development of these agents with OpenAI’s broader strategy to strengthen revenue, especially in light of significant financial losses reported last year. With expenses related to its services reaching approximately $5 billion, the company is now focused on establishing new revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability.  

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This came amid OpenAI’s broader efforts to enhance its offerings. In February, the company unveiled Deep Research, a tool designed to synthesise online information and generate in-depth reports comparable to human analysts. This move highlights OpenAI’s focus on delivering sophisticated AI solutions capable of handling complex tasks across various sectors.

Additionally, OpenAI recently launched GPT-4.5, an upgraded model with improved pattern recognition and insight generation, though it lacks reasoning capabilities. This advancement highlights OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to develop AI systems adept at intricate and creative tasks, increasing their potential appeal to businesses seeking such advanced functionalities.

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With this, OpenAI aims to diversify its product line up and expand its market reach. While details about customer eligibility and launch dates have yet to be revealed, the premium pricing indicates a focus on corporate clients and academic institutions that demand and can sustain such advanced technology.

As the AI giant advances its tech strategy, industry experts are closely watching how the company will position these offerings in the competitive AI landscape and whether they will play a crucial role in OpenAI’s financial recovery and long-term growth.