AI Agents Have a Spending Limit

Did you know real AI agents cost money to run? Each step costs a tiny bit. Smart agents come with a budget — like an allowance — so they don't run forever and waste cash.

Some examples

• AI gets $1 to plan a trip — and stops at $1.
• AI gets 100 steps and stops at 100.
• Without a budget, AI could spend forever.
• Budgets keep AI safe and cheap.

Try it!

If you ran an AI for one day, what budget would you give it?

Here's why "AI Agents Have a Spending Limit" matters: AI agents don't just answer questions — they can do things, like looking things up, writing files, or talking to apps. Real AI agents come with a money meter — they stop before they spend too much — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "budget" means and why it's important
• Learn what "cost limit" means and why it's important
• Learn what "guardrails" means and why it's important

1. 1Draw what you think an AI agent looks like — what tools would it carry?
2. 2List five tasks you wish a robot helper could do for you
3. 3Think about one rule you'd give an AI helper