---
title: Why AI Tokens are so Expensive - Computerphile
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0HRzXk8vlk
source: youtube-com-computerphile
published: 2026-07-02T14:26:37Z
updated: 2026-09-08T19:08:52Z
first_seen: 2026-09-19T21:30:23.395188495Z
authors:
- Computerphile
summary: "After changes to pricing structures for LLM powered code assistants, Mike looks at how a seemingly simple task can burn through tokens when an agent 'looks after it' for you. \n\nPublished with three potential titles on a YouTube test:\nExtreme Token Use of Agentic AI - Computerphile\nWhy AI Tokens are so Expensive - Computerphile \nWhat is a token and why does it cost so much? - Computerphile \n\nComputerphile is supported by Jane Street. Learn more about them (and exciting career opportunities) at: https://jane-st.co/computerphile\n\nThis video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.\n\nComputerphile is a sister project to Brady Haran's Numberphile. More at https://www.bradyharanblog.com"
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---

After changes to pricing structures for LLM powered code assistants, Mike looks at how a seemingly simple task can burn through tokens when an agent 'looks after it' for you.

Published with three potential titles on a YouTube test:\
Extreme Token Use of Agentic AI - Computerphile\
Why AI Tokens are so Expensive - Computerphile \
What is a token and why does it cost so much? - Computerphile

Computerphile is supported by Jane Street. Learn more about them (and exciting career opportunities) at: https://jane-st.co/computerphile

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Computerphile is a sister project to Brady Haran's Numberphile. More at https://www.bradyharanblog.com