Outcome-Based AI Pricing Models Gain Traction with Salesforce and OpenAI

Salesforce and OpenAI are testing new AI pricing models that link payments to business results. This shift could mean that AI companies are paid based on real outcomes rather than just usage, upending 25 years of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) pricing.

Salesforce is letting some businesses pay for its enterprise AI platform, Agentforce, based on the results it delivers. For example, customers could pay based on extra revenue from AI-assisted sales or savings from automated customer service.

OpenAI is testing a similar model with some major customers, allowing them to pay when its AI agents successfully complete tasks.