ChatGPT parent OpenAI could charge up to $20,000 monthly for specialized AI "agents," the Information reports.

The Microsoft Corp (MSFT  ) backed AI startup plans to launch several "agent" products tailored for different applications, including sorting and ranking sales leads and software engineering.

OpenAI plans to charge $2,000 monthly for a "high-income knowledge worker" agent and $10,000 monthly for a software developer agent.

OpenAI's $20,000-per-month AI agent will likely support "PhD-level research." Reportedly, OpenAI investor SoftBank committed to spending $3 billion on OpenAI's agent products in 2025.

OpenAI and Microsoft reportedly negotiated how to convert Microsoft's $14 billion investment into equity amid OpenAI's $157 billion valuation.

Both companies enlisted financial advisors to navigate the high-stakes discussions as OpenAI transitions to a for-profit model.

OpenAI's projected computing expenses could reach $37.5 billion annually by 2029. OpenAI, whose monthly revenue hit $300 million in August, proposed increasing the chatbot's price by 10% in 2024 and doubling it to $44 over the next five years.

Meanwhile, in China, Alibaba Group Holding (BABA  ) recently introduced 3,000 internships, half of which are in AI. It committed $52.2 billion in AI and cloud investment.

Alibaba's move coincided with Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's AI model price war, offering discounted off-peak pricing for developers. Chinese tech companies like Alibaba and its rivals were already engaged in a price war to win market share.

Price Action: MSFT stock is down 1.26% at $395.97 premarket at the last check on Thursday.