AI Automation ROI Calculator
Before recommending an AI tool to a client, the first question is always the same: is it actually worth the setup cost? This calculator produces an honest figure based on the real parameters of the task concerned.
Time saved per week
3 h
Annual projection
138 h · €6,210
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Calculated using 46 working weeks per year. No data is stored — all calculations run in your browser.
How to use this tool
- 1Enter the time currently spent on the task
- 2Enter the salary of the person concerned
- 3Estimate the achievable automation rate
- 4Enter the deployment cost of the AI solution
- 5Read the estimated ROI and payback period
Why it matters
Many AI projects are decided on the basis of productivity promises without precise cost modelling. This calculator starts from the real parameters of the task concerned to produce an honest estimate. It also quickly identifies cases where the deployment cost exceeds the savings achievable over the intended horizon.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the ROI of an AI project?
ROI = (Annual saving - Annual cost) / Initial investment. The saving is calculated from time saved x hourly cost x automation rate. Costs include the subscription or development cost, plus configuration and maintenance time.
Which tasks are most profitable to automate with AI?
Repetitive, high-volume tasks with low human added value and a standardised format: data classification, summarisation, information extraction, lead qualification, and standard report generation.
What is the typical payback period for an AI tool in business?
For SaaS tools (Notion AI, Copilot, ChatGPT Teams), break-even is often reached within 1 to 3 months with regular use. For custom development, expect 6 to 18 months depending on complexity.