How much does it cost to run an AI agent?

Pricing in Copilot Studio is usage-based and changes over time, so check the current model before calculating costs. What remains stable is the broader cost picture.

The visible cost

Licensing and usage costs based on the number of conversations. This is easy to estimate once you know how many inquiries you currently receive, and it scales predictably.

The ongoing cost

Someone needs to maintain the knowledge the agent draws on for its answers, review questions it could not answer, and update topics as products and prices change. This is an ongoing task, not a project, and it should have a designated owner.

The most expensive option

An agent that was set up two years ago, never maintained, and now gets half of its answers wrong. It costs you both in licensing fees and reputation. If you are not willing to take ownership of the maintenance, you are not ready for an agent.