OpenAI has officially flipped the switch on a new chapter for its famous chatbot. This week, the company began testing advertisements within its AI-powered ChatGPT tool as a new way to get funds. For now, the test is limited to users in the United States who use the free version or the lower cost “Go” subscription tier.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT ad tests in the US
If you are part of the test group, don’t expect flashing banners to interrupt your conversation. OpenAI is being careful by putting clearly labeled sponsored products at the very bottom of the chat interface. These ads are meant to be separate from the real AI-generated answers so that the chatbot’s advice stays unbiased and not affected by advertisers who pay for it.
Privacy is still a big part of the rollout. OpenAI has said that it will not sell user data or let advertisers see specific conversations. The system will match ads to the general context of your current chat to keep them relevant. However, users have the option to turn off this personalization or clear their ad data at any time.
After Anthropic’s jab
The timing of the launch feels intentional, coming just after a high-profile spat during the Super Bowl. Anthropic, OpenAI’s main rival, aired a commercial poking fun at the idea of ads in AI. The ad depicted a “human” chatbot giving workout advice that abruptly pivoted into a sales pitch for shoe insoles.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was quick to defend his company’s strategy. He pointed out that while Anthropic serves an expensive product to a smaller group, OpenAI is focused on bringing AI to billions of people. According to Altman, an ad-supported model is a necessary step to make powerful intelligence accessible to those who cannot afford a monthly subscription.
What’s next for ChatGPT
Beyond the ads, this is a busy week for the platform. In an internal message, Altman mentioned that ChatGPT is back to double-digit monthly growth and teased the release of an updated chat model. This new model should be here in a few days. It might make things go faster or help you think better.
For those who prefer a completely clean experience, the premium tiers like Plus, Pro, and Enterprise will remain ad-free.
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