OpenAI is testing advertisements in the ChatGPT tool, starting in the US for both free users and a new subscription tier called ChatGPT Go, which costs $8 monthly. This trial aims to display relevant ads after user prompts; for instance, searching for vacation spots in Mexico may yield holiday advertisements. OpenAI assures that these ads will not affect ChatGPT’s responses and guarantees user data privacy. The company, which has experienced rapid user growth but operates at a significant loss—over $8 billion in the first half of 2025—seeks alternative revenue sources beyond its current subscriber model. Analysts view this advertising shift as a necessity in a potentially overvalued AI sector. While the pursuit of ad revenue is controversial, many software firms rely on it to sustain profitability. As OpenAI shifts from a non-profit to a more commercial model, it may pave the way for similar strategies among other AI companies.
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