GitHub will start charging Copilot users based on their actual AI usage
Summary
GitHub will change how it charges for its Copilot AI service, moving to a system where users pay based on how much they actually use the AI starting June 1. This is to better match costs with usage and help keep the service financially sustainable as demand grows.Key Facts
- GitHub Copilot currently gives users monthly "requests" but those cover many different AI tasks with varying computing costs.
- Under the new model, subscribers will get "AI Credits" based on their subscription, and pay extra if they use more credits.
- Costs will depend on the number of AI tokens used, which measure input and output in AI interactions.
- Simple AI features like code completion will still be free of credit use, but code reviews will cost additional GitHub Actions minutes.
- The change responds to a rise in high AI usage that has nearly doubled Copilot’s weekly costs since January.
- GitHub paused new signups and tightened usage limits to maintain service quality before this pricing change.
- Other AI companies like Anthropic are also moving to usage-based billing to manage rising AI computing costs.
- GitHub says this approach will help keep Copilot reliable and financially sustainable as demand increases.
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