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OpenAI announced on Friday (January 15) that it will begin testing advertisements in its ChatGPT app for some users in the United States. This move marks a significant shift for the company, which previously avoided ads in its AI applications. The ads will appear for users of the free version and the $8 per month ChatGPT Go plan, while those using the Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers will not see ads.
According to OpenAI's blog post, the ads will be displayed at the bottom of the chatbot's answers, clearly labeled and separated from the organic content. The company emphasizes that the ads will not influence ChatGPT's responses, and users' data will not be shared with advertisers. Ads will not appear near sensitive topics like health or politics, and users can dismiss ads and provide feedback.
OpenAI's decision to introduce ads comes as the company seeks to diversify its revenue streams amid significant financial pressures. OpenAI is valued at $500 billion but does not expect to be profitable until 2030. The company is investing heavily in data centers and AI technology, with plans to spend about $1.4 trillion.
Despite the financial motivations, OpenAI CEO of applications Fidji Simo assures users that the integrity of ChatGPT's responses remains a priority. "It's crucial we preserve what makes ChatGPT valuable in the first place," Simo wrote in the blog post.
The company plans to refine the ad experience based on user feedback.