OpenAI is set to launch specialized AI "agents" with subscription fees as high as $20,000 per month, catering to various business applications like sales lead management, software development, and high-level research. According to The Information, the offerings include a "high-income knowledge worker" agent priced at $2,000 per month, a more advanced software developer agent at $10,000 per month, and a premium agent for PhD-level research at $20,000 per month.

These AI agents are aimed at corporate clients and research institutions rather than individual users. Reports indicate that SoftBank, an investor in OpenAI, plans to spend $3 billion on these AI agent products in 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence.

OpenAI's move to premium AI subscriptions comes as the company faces significant financial challenges, with losses amounting to around $5 billion in 2024 due to high operational costs. These new AI agents could provide a vital revenue stream to offset expenses and support OpenAI's growth in the AI market.

Although OpenAI has not yet confirmed a launch timeline or customer eligibility, the introduction of these high-cost AI agents highlights the company's focus on businesses and institutions seeking advanced automation and AI-driven insights.