Knowledge · As of 2026-09-07
What does an AI rollout cost for a mid-sized company?
The three cost blocks
AI costs split into three blocks: assessment (where does AI pay off?), implementation (building the system), and operations (keeping it current and secure). Plan all three from the start and there are no surprises.
| Phase | Scope | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | KI-CHECK: readiness scorecard, top 3 use cases, recommendation | from €990 one-off |
| Implementation | AI system in 5 package sizes (website bot to enterprise platform) | €2,490 - €29,900 one-off |
| Operations | Managed service: updates for model, API, and compliance changes | from €499/month |
What actually drives the price
The biggest driver is the number of connected systems, followed by user count and SSO, data-sovereignty requirements (hosting in Germany typically adds 15%), and the quality of your data foundation. The data side is almost always underestimated - which is why a free data-readiness assessment belongs before every project.
Ask about four items that rarely appear in offers: model migrations (LLM vendors retire models after 12-18 months), compliance changes (EU AI Act), API changes of connected systems, and team training - mandatory since February 2025 under Article 4 of the EU AI Act, and largely fundable in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Is there AI below €1,000?
Yes - ready-made SaaS tools (e.g. a website chatbot from ~€349/month) are a legitimate entry. A solution tailored to your processes with system integration realistically starts at €2,500-6,000.
How long does a rollout take?
With a clear use case: 2-12 weeks to a production system depending on scope.
Read next
KI-PILOT: fixed-price packages →AI funding: up to 100% subsidies →Free data assessment →