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What's that AI project actually worth?

Plug in what you'd spend and what you'd get back. This calculator shows your first-year return and how fast the project pays for itself, in plain dollars. No hype, just the math.

Not sure where to start? Load a sample estimate
These are estimate numbers to get you started. Swap in your own figures for a result you can trust.
1

What you'll spend

Your one-time setup and your ongoing monthly cost.

Software setup, integration, data work, and training to get it running.
$
Subscriptions, licenses, hosting, and support you'll pay every month.
$
2

What you'll get back

The monthly value the project creates. Fill in what applies.

How many hours a week this frees up, across how many people, and what an hour of their time costs you (wages plus overhead).
hrs/wk
people
$ /hr
Estimate hours saved, per person
Answer for one person who does this task. We'll fill the hrs/wk box, then set the people count to how many do it.
x / wk
min
%
Tip: leave the share conservative. Few tasks go to zero, so something like 50 to 70 percent keeps the number believable. For the hourly cost, use the wage times about 1.3 to cover payroll taxes, benefits, and overhead.
Add your numbers above
New sales, faster turnaround, or deals you stop losing because of slow follow-up.
$
Pick one or both
Revenue gains usually come from one of two places. Turn on whichever applies, or both, and answer the quick questions.
Tap a button to add or remove it. Active ones get added together.
$
$
%
Count only what you can defend. Recovered revenue you can point to beats a hopeful guess every time.
Add your numbers above
Fewer mistakes, less rework, lower overtime, and avoided losses.
$
Pick one or both
Savings usually show up as fewer mistakes or less overtime. Turn on whichever applies, or both, and answer the quick questions.
Tap a button to add or remove it. Active ones get added together.
$
hrs
$/hr
Stick to costs you can put a real dollar figure on. A smaller number you trust is worth more than a big one you can't back up.
Add your numbers above
We'll add a note on what tends to matter most in your field.

Your projected return

0%
First-year return on investment
--
Pays for itself in
$0
Net gain, year 1
$0
Net gain, 3 years
$0
Net cash flow / month
Break-even timeline
Your cumulative dollars over 36 months. Where the line crosses zero is the day it's paid for itself.
Talk through these numbers

Get your ROI report

Download your numbers as a clean one-page PDF you can save or share with your team.

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Check your downloads folder. (If a print dialog opens instead, choose "Save as PDF.") Want a second set of eyes on these assumptions? Reach out any time.

How the math works

No black box. Here's exactly what this tool is doing with your numbers so you can trust the result and defend it to anyone who asks.

01
Adds up the real value

Time saved (hours, times people, times their hourly cost) plus added revenue plus cost and error reduction. That's your monthly benefit.

02
Subtracts what it costs

Your setup cost up front, plus the ongoing monthly cost. Benefit minus cost is your net cash flow.

03
Shows the payback

First-year ROI is net gain divided by total first-year cost. Payback is how long until the savings cover your setup.

The hard part isn't the math. It's picking the right first project.

These numbers are only as good as the assumptions behind them. Z-JAK helps Louisville businesses choose AI projects that actually pay off, then build them securely. Let's pressure-test your numbers together.

Book a free strategy call

This calculator gives an estimate based on the numbers you enter. It isn't a guarantee of results or financial advice. Actual return depends on your specific situation, how the project is built, and how your team adopts it.