OpenAI: $0.17 for Credit Verification According to Its CFO

Key Takeaways

1OpenAI uses AI to automate repetitive financial tasks such as credit checks

2Sarah Friar announces a decrease in the cost per check from $200 to about $0.17

3Automation reduces the need for personnel in these functions, according to the executive

4Dario Amodei and Geoffrey Hinton discuss potentially broader impacts on employment

Why it matters : OpenAI's example illustrates how AI is concretely transforming certain jobs, while public debate raises concerns about more massive effects on employment.

OpenAI's Chief Financial Officer, Sarah Friar, describes an internal use of AI targeting repetitive tasks such as credit checks. She reports a decrease in unit cost from $200 to about $0.17, while stating that these automations limit the need for personnel in these functions.

Sharper forecasts on employment

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, believes that AI could eliminate half of entry-level office jobs. Geoffrey Hinton deemed these predictions likely accurate. However, he reminded that AI still fails in certain tasks, while warning that the technology is advancing very quickly. In November 2025, during a discussion with Bernie Sanders, he summarized his position by stating, "We are at the very beginning."

At OpenAI, AI first targets repetitive financial flows

Sarah Friar describes the automation of mundane financial tasks, including credit checks, to improve the efficiency of the finance function. OpenAI's purchasing department completed about 2,800 of these last year, an activity the executive deems trivial. According to her, the model executes these repetitive tasks at a likely better scale and with more precision, freeing up time for more intellectually demanding missions.

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Claimed effect on staffing for repetitive tasks

Sarah Friar asserts that AI reduces the need for workers dedicated to repetitive tasks, citing the example of credit checks. She adds that the use of OpenAI products within finance limits the number of people required. The positions affected are, according to her, jobs she does not consider significant roles.

Cost per check: from $200 to about $0.17

The executive quantifies the decrease in the unit cost of a credit check from $200 to about $0.17, which she describes as a very good return on investment for a CFO. These details were presented during an interview on a television show on Tuesday.