OpenAI is planning to charge $20,000 a month for PhD-level AI agents

OpenAI is gearing up to launch a new line of AI agents, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 per month to do tasks like coding and PhD-level research, the Information reported. These AI-driven tools are designed for high-level tasks like sales lead sorting, software engineering, and advanced research.

Leaked details suggest OpenAI is structuring its offering into three tiers. The lowest-priced agent, set at $2,000 per month, is aimed at well-paid professionals who require AI assistance for knowledge-based work.

“The news didn’t sit well with some users, with one commenting, ‘If not for DeepSeek, the three guys running AI in the US would be having dinner together, setting prices so high they’d create a new caste system… Long live @deepseek_ai, long live China!'”

If it weren’t for DeepSeek, these three motherfuckers who run AI in the US would have dinner together and set AI prices so high that they’d create a new caste in the world… long live @deepseek_ai … long live China… fuck all you MAGA motherfuckers!

— AIPlug.in (@aiplugin) March 5, 2025

Is $20,000 a Month for AI Justified, or Pure Price Gouging?

According to the report, a more advanced coding agent may be priced around $10,000 monthly, catering to developers and engineers. At the top of the spectrum, a $20,000-per-month agent is expected to focus on Ph.D.-level research, supporting in-depth analysis and complex problem-solving.

“OpenAI Plots Charging $20,000 a Month For PhD-Level Agents. OpenAI is planning three types of agents, which could cost between $2,000 and $20,000 per month,” The Information reported.

Executives at OpenAI have reportedly been discussing these plans with investors, positioning the AI agents as a major revenue driver. The company expects this new category to contribute between 20% and 25% of its long-term earnings. The specifics around availability and customer eligibility remain unclear, but the consistency of details across multiple reports adds weight to the information.

The report also added that OpenAI’s pricing strategy signals a shift toward premium AI services, potentially putting the company in direct competition with enterprise-focused AI providers. While broader access to these AI agents is still in question, the tiered structure indicates a strong push toward monetizing AI beyond consumer-level tools.