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AI ROI calculator

Work out what AI could save your business in hours and money, how fast it pays back, and the return over three years. Use your own numbers. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you ask.

Currency
Count the team or process you have in mind, not the whole company.
Salary plus on-costs such as pension, tax and benefits.
Admin, reports, data entry, chasing, first drafts.
30% is a sensible first assumption for well-defined tasks.
Be honest. Adoption is where most AI projects fall short.
Build, integration, data work and training.
Typical business AI licences cost $20 to $60 per user a month.
Time AI gives back in year one$0

0hours saved a year
$0net in year one, after all costs
0payback period
0%return over 3 years

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How this AI ROI calculator works

  1. Hours today: people x hours a week on repetitive work x 46 working weeks.
  2. Hours saved: hours today x the share AI can save x how many will use it.
  3. Value: hours saved x hourly cost (yearly cost per person divided by 1,725 working hours).
  4. Running cost: people x licence cost per user x 12 months.
  5. Net in year one: value minus set-up and a year of running costs.
  6. Payback: set-up cost divided by the monthly value left after licences.
  7. 3-year return: three years of value against set-up plus three years of running costs.

Time saved is not cash saved until you use it: more output, faster service, or work you no longer buy in. Decide which before you start.

Also try the free AI readiness assessment for your score and three priorities.

AI ROI questions

How do you calculate the ROI of AI?

Work out the hours a task takes today, what that time costs, and how much of it AI can save once people actually use it. That is the value. Take away the set-up cost and the yearly running cost, then compare what is left with what you spent.

What costs should I include?

Licences or API usage, the build or set-up, connecting AI to your systems, training your team, and ongoing support. Include your own team's time on the project too, not just supplier invoices.

Why does adoption matter so much?

AI only saves time when people use it. Most projects that disappoint have the right tool and too few users. Setting adoption below 100% keeps the estimate honest.

Is this a quote?

No. It is a starting estimate built from your own numbers. A diagnostic checks the assumptions against your real processes and data before anyone spends money.

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