{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "surface_type": "tool_answer",
  "tool_id": "support-escalation-blend",
  "citation_question": "How do I model blended AI plus human support cost when some tickets escalate?",
  "question": "How do I estimate blended AI plus human support cost per ticket with deflection and escalation?",
  "canonical_url": "https://www.unitcostai.com/tools/support-escalation-blend",
  "formula": "blended_cost_per_ticket = deflection_rate * ai_cost_per_deflected_ticket + (1 - deflection_rate) * (ai_cost_before_handoff_ticket + human_cost_per_escalated_ticket)",
  "assumptions": [
    "Deflection rate is the share of tickets fully resolved without human handoff",
    "Escalated tickets still include AI first-pass cost before the human handling term is added",
    "Monthly savings compare blended cost against the current fully human cost per ticket baseline"
  ],
  "example": "If deflection_rate=0.72, ai_cost_per_deflected_ticket=0.12, ai_cost_before_handoff_ticket=0.05, and human_cost_per_escalated_ticket=6.50, blended_cost_per_ticket is about $1.87.",
  "units": "USD per resolved ticket, USD per month, and percentage points",
  "pricing_context": {
    "context_type": "pricing_snapshot",
    "snapshot_id": "2026-06-21",
    "snapshot_date": "2026-06-21",
    "reference_url": "https://www.unitcostai.com/pricing"
  },
  "pricing_snapshot": {
    "snapshot_id": "2026-06-21",
    "snapshot_date": "2026-06-21",
    "pricing_reference_url": "https://www.unitcostai.com/pricing"
  }
}