👋If you are a new reader, my name is Danar Mustafa. I write about product management focusing on AI, tech, business and agile management. You can visit my website here or visit my Linkedin here. I am based in Sweden and founder of AImognad.se – leading AI maturity Model Matrix. Get your free assessment here.

My goal is to be your guide through the exciting world of technology, startups, and our digital society. I’m here as a tech enthusiast to explore the latest advancements that are shaping our world.

In today’s article, I will talk about how AI Agents are about to changing business models in 2025. This is especially true for IT and software companies.

Open AI want to introduce and charge for PhD-level AI Agents

OpenAI is reportedly planning to introduce specialized AI agents that will be available at various price points. The most advanced tier is aimed at supporting “PhD-level research.” This tier is priced at $20,000 per month. This pricing strategy reflects both the capabilities of these AI systems and the financial pressures facing OpenAI. The term “PhD-level AI” refers to models that are designed to perform tasks typically requiring doctoral-level expertise. These tasks include conducting advanced research, writing and debugging complex code autonomously, and analyzing large datasets to generate comprehensive reports. The claim is that these models can tackle problems usually requiring years of specialized academic training.

OpenAI’s pricing structure for its AI agents includes three tiers:

1. $2,000 per month for a “high-income knowledge worker” agent.
2. $10,000 per month for a software developer agent.
3. $20,000 per month for the PhD-level research agent.

Implications for Companies

Enterprises will increasingly adopt AI-driven tools capable of performing specialized tasks traditionally reserved for highly educated professional. Imagine you are a pharmaceutical company and you are doing drug research. Instead of hiring several PhD level scientist , they can focusing on integrating AI into workflows rather than relying solely on human expertise.

1. Operational Efficiency. AI agents can automate repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. For instance, a consumer goods company that previously required six analysts to manage marketing campaigns can now accomplish this with a single employee working alongside an AI agent.
   
2. Innovation and Competitive Advantage. Big companies really stand to benefit from using AI Agents. They can enhance their service offerings and improve customer experiences. For startups with low budgets, these AI Agents can replace hiring experts in fields like medical and IT. They handle the initial research and coding for the first prototypes.
   
3. Cost Reduction. By implementing AI agents, businesses can significantly reduce their operational costs associated with human labor. For example, banks that have adopted virtual assistants are experiencing cost reductions that can reach up to tenfold in their customer service divisions. Startups can find it considerably easier to expand without a corresponding increase in staffing expenses. Furthermore, larger organizations can optimize their existing resources more effectively.

Nonetheless, there is several points of caution. Will AI Agent really replicate the quality of human work and creativity and is it ethical? As companies integrate AI agents into their operations, they must address data governance and cybersecurity challenges. It is crucial that these systems operate within ethical guidelines. Protecting sensitive information is essential for maintaining trust with customers and stakeholders.

Read more:

https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-agents

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/12/ai-agents-risks-artificial-intelligence/

https://cloud.google.com/transform/101-real-world-generative-ai-use-cases-from-industry-leaders

https://opentools.ai/news/openai-unleashes-phd-level-ai-super-agents-game-changer-or-overhyped-dream