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The inputs this calculator takes (with units, ranges and defaults), the outputs it returns, and the assumptions and tables behind it.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {},
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Run the AI against a hire, on the same basis calculator: Full cost of the hire, per year; Hire cost as a multiple of salary; Full cost of the AI route, year one; Full cost of the AI route, year two onward. Missing inputs fall back to their documented defaults.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "salary": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Salary for the role",
      "default": 55000
    },
    "onCostPct": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Employer costs as a percentage of salary",
      "default": 25
    },
    "equip": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Equipment, software and workspace per year",
      "default": 4000
    },
    "recruit": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Recruitment cost, spread over expected tenure",
      "default": 4000
    },
    "mgmtHrs": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Management hours a week",
      "default": 3
    },
    "mgmtRate": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Manager cost per hour",
      "default": 75
    },
    "aiLicence": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "AI tool annual licence",
      "default": 12000
    },
    "aiSetup": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Data and integration, year one",
      "default": 25000
    },
    "superHrs": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Hours a week supervising and checking output",
      "default": 5
    },
    "superRate": {
      "type": "number",
      "description": "Cost per hour of whoever checks it",
      "default": 45
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Read first. States plainly what submit_enquiry does on AI vs Hire: it starts an enquiry with human providers who quote directly. Nothing is bought, ordered or paid; no quote is guaranteed; it is free. Also returns who receives the details, the consent wording, and how the person confirms.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {},
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Every field of the AI vs Hire enquiry: key, label, type, whether required, help text and the allowed options where there are any. Pass answers to submit_enquiry keyed by field key.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {},
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Submits an enquiry to AI vs Hire — NOT a purchase, NOT a guaranteed quote. Step 1: call with the answers (keyed by field key from enquiry_fields) and consent=true; it validates and returns a summary, the consent line and a confirmation token — show the person the summary and the consent line. Step 2: only if the person agrees, call again with the same answers, consent=true and the confirmation token; the enquiry is then submitted, and the person receives an email with a link they must click before any provider sees it. Consent means the person has read and agreed to: "Happy for my details to go to automation partners or recruiters, who'll contact me directly."

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "answers": {
      "type": "object",
      "additionalProperties": {
        "type": [
          "string",
          "number",
          "boolean"
        ]
      },
      "description": "the person's answers, keyed by field key"
    },
    "consent": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true only when the person has agreed to: Happy for my details to go to automation partners or recruiters, who'll contact me directly."
    },
    "confirmation": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "the confirmation token from step 1, after the person has approved the summary"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "answers",
    "consent"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}