OpenAI To Begin Testing Ads On ChatGPT

OpenAI said on Friday that it will introduce advertisements for users on the free version of ChatGPT as well as those on its lower-priced “Go” plan. The Go tier offers added features such as longer memory and more image-generation options but costs less than the Plus and Pro subscriptions. Ads will be tested initially in the United States, with the rollout expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The move reflects OpenAI’s push to generate more revenue from ChatGPT, which now has over 800 million users, the majority of whom do not pay for the service. The company is preparing for heavy spending on AI infrastructure, estimated at $1.4 trillion over the next eight years. In recent months, it has also introduced health and learning features aimed at making ChatGPT a daily-use tool and encouraging more users to subscribe.

Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of applications, said advertisements will not influence ChatGPT’s answers. Users may see ads at the bottom of responses when a sponsored product or service is relevant to their query. OpenAI said the ads will be clearly marked and not blended into responses. The company also said it will not sell user data or conversations to advertisers, and that chats involving regulated topics such as medical or political issues will remain free of ads.