[Business tools]

AI ROI calculator

Estimate the return from putting AI to work in your business. Start with the time your team could save, then allow for the build, running costs and rollout.

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We've filled in an example to get you started. Replace it with your figures. All amounts are in pounds, excluding VAT.

The work you could improve

People doing this work Count the team involved in this workflow.

Hours saved per person / week After allowing for checking and exceptions.

Staff cost per hour (£) Salary, employer costs and overheads. Use cost, not your billing rate.

Working weeks per year Allow for holidays and other time away.

Implementation and use

Expected saving achieved (%) Allow for adoption and how often the team uses the system.

Months before savings start Whole months for building and rolling out the system.

One-off implementation cost (£) Include the build, integration and your internal setup time.

Ongoing cost per month (£) AI usage, licences, hosting, support and internal upkeep.

View estimate ↓

[Your estimate · year one]

Estimated value after first-year costs

Team time freed in year one
Value of that time
Build + 12 months of running costs

First-year ROI

Net value divided by total cost.

Estimated payback

Net monthly value after rollout

Net value over three years

Estimated value after costs

This values capacity you could free up. It becomes a cash saving only if you reduce spending, such as overtime or contractor costs. Your payroll may stay the same.

How we calculate the return

Annual hours freed = people × hours saved per person per week × working weeks × the percentage of savings achieved. We divide by 12 to spread that capacity across the year, then multiply by your hourly staff cost to value it.

Savings start after the rollout months you enter. We count the implementation cost at project start and charge running costs from month one, including the rollout period. First-year net value is the value freed in those first 12 months minus both costs. ROI is that net value divided by total first-year cost, multiplied by 100.

Payback is the point when accumulated value covers the cost, including running costs during rollout. We show no payback if ongoing costs meet or exceed the value freed. With zero costs, a percentage return isn't defined.

The three-year view holds your assumptions steady. It excludes tax, financing, inflation, revenue growth and any savings from fewer errors. Enter internal implementation time and ongoing review costs in the relevant cost fields, and avoid counting the same hours twice. The example figures are assumptions, not industry averages or a Vu quote.

Cumulative value and costs at selected months
Point in time	Value freed	Total cost	Net value

Put some evidence behind the estimate

Tell us which process you're looking at. We'll help you check the assumptions and work out what it would take to build.

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