After launching Deep Research in February this year, OpenAI is now planning to introduce a series of specialized AI agents, with prices reaching as high as $20,000 per month.
The high-priced AI agents are designed for tasks such and sorting and ranking sales leads, software engineering and high-level research. Particularly, the most expensive agent is aimed at supporting high PhD-level research. Signaling OpenAI’s focus on catering advanced research and professional sectors. Additionally, a ‘high-income knowledge-worker’ is expected at $2,000 a month, while the software developer agent might be available at $10,000 per month.
These pricing tiers indicate that the OpenAI’s agents are tailored to specific professional tasks. The $20,000 tier aimed at PhD-level research underscores the OpenAI’s aim to support intensive academic research efforts. Though, OpenAI has not specified any date for launch for these products, SoftBank has shown significant investment interest in it. The bank has committed to invest $3 billion on the OpenAI’s AI agent technology this year. The OpenAI’s moves on these agents aligns with its strategy to improve revenue after reporting significant financial losses last year. OpenAI reported around $5 billion losses in expenses related to services last year, highlighting the necessity of new revenue streams.
Reacting to these developments, Redditor posted: “That’s kind of like hiring 8 PhDs for the price of 2”.
“A PhD who works 24/7, is four full-time PhDs who never take vacation or sick leave,” another Redditor shared.
OpenAI ‘s AI enhancements and efforts to generate revenue
OpenAI’s moves toward this AI agent services comes amid the company’s efforts to broaden and enhance its offerings. In February, OpenAI launched Deep Research, tool capable of synthesizing information from internet and provide human-like comprehensive reports. This further directs OpenAI’s intension to provide sophisticated tools that can address complex industry needs.
Moreover, OpenAI recently release GPT-4.5 with enhanced ability to recognize patterns and generate insights without reasoning. This development further supports the company’s move to advancing its AI capability. To perform intricate and creative tasks and appeal its potential customers with such capabilities.
With introduction of these specialized agents OpenAI endeavors into diversifying its product portfolio and capture wider market. Although, the eligibility or the launch dates remain unknown, the price points suggest OpenAI targeting corporate clients or academic institutions that requires and can afford such high-priced sophisticated tools.
As company moves forward with its plans, industry observers are keen to see OpenAI positions these products in the competitive AI markets and how they contribute to the company’s revenue efforts.
