The Falling Cost of Intelligence
X = release date. Y = effective cost per 1M I/O Tokens (log). Each step line tracks the cheapest model to date at or above an IQ level; large dots mark the models that set each new price floor, faint dots show every other qualifying model, colored by provider.
The Falling Cost of Intelligence
The Falling Cost of Intelligence
X = release date. Y = effective cost per 1M I/O Tokens (log). Each step line tracks the cheapest model to date at or above an IQ level; large dots mark the models that set each new price floor, faint dots show every other qualifying model, colored by provider.
How to read this chart
Each line follows one IQ level and steps down whenever a newly released model at or above that level undercuts the previous cheapest option. Large dots mark the models that set each new price floor; faint dots show every other qualifying model at its release date and cost. The vertical axis is logarithmic, so equal drops represent equal cost ratios.
Data sources
CoreFrontier IQ Over TimeX = release date. Y = estimated IQ. Provider step-lines connect each provider's flagship frontier checkpoints over time.Data: ARC Prize, Epoch AI FrontierMath, Vals.ai +24 moreOpen chartCostIQ vs Effective CostEach model's estimated IQ plotted against effective cost per 1M I/O Tokens (sticker price × measured or imputed usage multiplier).Data: AI IQ methodologyOpen chartCostAI Models by CostPublished price for 1M I/O Tokens compared with effective cost after applying the measured or imputed task-usage multiplier.Data: Artificial Analysis, ARC Prize, Vals.aiOpen chartCostTask EfficiencyEach dot shows the inverse of the effective-cost usage multiplier. Higher means less price-adjusted task work: 2× is about half the median task effort. Source-backed multipliers are preferred; lineage, peer, and 1× fallbacks are labeled in tooltips.Data: Artificial Analysis, ARC Prize, Vals.aiOpen chartCostInput Price vs Output PriceEach model positioned by its published token prices — input price (Y) against output price (X), both per 1M tokens on a log scale. The dashed line is the best fit across models, showing the typical output-to-input price relationship.Data: AI IQ datasetOpen chartCostIQ vs Input/Output Token CostEach model's estimated IQ plotted against its published token price. Toggle between input and output price per 1M tokens.Data: AI IQ methodologyOpen chart