The high price of OpenAI's AI agents to replace software engineers

In recent years, the Artificial Intelligence has made great strides, generating both excitement and concern in various sectors. The ability of AI to automate tasks has led many to wonder if their jobs may be in jeopardy. One of the companies driving this transformation is OpenAI, which, according to recent leaks, would be preparing artificial intelligence agents that could replace highly qualified professionals, including software engineers.

The point that has drawn the most attention is not only the possibility that these agents are capable of develop software in an advanced manner, but also the high cost they would have. Reports suggest that OpenAI is considering a subscription model with prices ranging from $2.000 to $20.000 per month, depending on the level of sophistication of the agent.

OpenAI’s AI Agents: Threat or Tool?

Leaks indicate that OpenAI is developing artificial intelligence agents capable of performing tasks of varying complexity. At the most basic level, there is talk of tools that could perform functions related to data analytics and the generation of strategies for marketing, with an estimated cost of $2.000 per month. In the next category, agents would be specialized in Software Engineering and would cost approximately $10.000 a month.

Finally, the most advanced, those designed for tasks requiring a level of knowledge similar to that of a PhD, could reach a monthly cost of $20.000. These agents would have the capacity to analyze large volumes of data and offer solutions innovative in different fields, from scientific research to the development of technological products.

SoftBank and other giants are betting heavily on AI

Funding these advances is no small problem. Reports indicate that SoftBank plans to invest at least $3.000 billion this year alone in the development of these autonomous agents. This strategic move reflects the growing confidence that artificial intelligence will be a key piece in the economy of the future.

OpenAI is not alone in this race. Companies like Microsoft, Meta and various government entities have also shown interest in AI-driven automation. It is estimated that the global investment In this sector it already reaches astronomical figures, with the United States government allocating 500.000 million to projects related to artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, technology companies such as Microsoft have announced investments of 80.000 million and the European Union plans to allocate more than 200.000 million to similar initiatives.

It is crucial to mention that this growing investment in artificial intelligence reflects a paradigm shift in how companies seek to address their own operational challenges. Therefore, the focus is on the efficiency that these agents can bring in a changing work environment.

An expensive solution to an efficiency problem

As promising as the idea may seem, the high cost of these agents raises questions about their viability. While in some economies the cost of hiring engineers may be high, in other markets paying 10.000 monthly dollars for an AI that programs could be an excessive expense compared to maintaining human teams.

Industry experts say the key to these agents being profitable lies in their ability to increase efficiency in companies. If a single agent can do the work of several employees in less time and with fewer errors, then the investment could be justified. However, it remains to be seen whether these agents will be able to operate without human supervision or whether they will continue to require the intervention of specialists to ensure adequate results.

In addition, it is critical to consider how task automation will affect the labor structure in different sectors. As these technologies become integrated, Companies could rethink their strategies, as evidenced by current employment dynamics.

When will these AI agents be available?

 

Although there are no official dates yet, OpenAI has set 2029 as the year it hopes to be a fully profitable company. This suggests that AI agents could begin to be marketed in the next few years, although initial prices could evolve depending on market acceptance and advances in technology.

The question that many are asking is whether companies will begin to replace employees with these agents or whether they will use them as a complementary tool to help increase productivity without reducing staff. What is clear is that Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly and its impact on the world of work will be a topic of debate in the coming years.