Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT Conversations as OpenAI Tests New Revenue Model

Ads may soon become part of everyday conversations on ChatGPT. OpenAI announced it will begin testing advertising within ChatGPT’s free version for logged-in adult users in the United States.

Under the plan, ads will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT responses and will be clearly labeled as sponsored content. OpenAI says the ads will not influence how ChatGPT answers questions and that users should be able to trust responses are based on usefulness, not advertising pressure.

The company is also rolling out a new subscription tier called “Go,” priced at eight dollars per month. That plan includes expanded features such as longer memory and more image creation options but will still include ads. Higher-priced subscriptions, including Plus, Pro and business accounts, will remain ad-free.

OpenAI’s move marks a shift for CEO Sam Altman, who has previously voiced discomfort with advertising in AI products. The change comes as OpenAI works to generate more revenue to support massive investments in AI infrastructure, which the company has said could total more than a trillion dollars over the next several years.

Advertising could become a powerful tool for AI platforms because conversations can reveal user interests in real time. For example, someone planning a vacation could potentially see ads for hotels or attractions related to that destination. OpenAI says users will be able to turn off ad personalization based on chat history, and the company will not sell conversation data to advertisers.

The company also says it will avoid showing ads in conversations involving sensitive or regulated topics such as health, mental health or politics. Ads will not be shown to users under 18, with OpenAI relying on AI-based age estimation tools to enforce that policy.

As more tech companies experiment with monetizing AI tools, ads inside chatbots could become more common, raising new questions about privacy, trust and the future of digital advertising.

Credit: CNN Newsource
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