OpenAI to test ads in ChatGPT as it burns through billions
Ars Technica • • business
Key Points:
- OpenAI will begin testing banner advertisements in the ChatGPT app for some US users, targeting free and the new $8/month ChatGPT Go plan subscribers, while excluding higher-tier paying users from ads.
- The ads will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT’s answers, clearly labeled and separated from the AI’s responses, to avoid influencing the chatbot’s output or user trust.
- This shift marks a reversal for CEO Sam Altman, who previously expressed reservations about ads in ChatGPT due to concerns about trust and influence on responses.
- OpenAI faces significant financial pressures, expecting to spend $9 billion in 2026 while generating $13 billion in revenue, with only about 5% of users paying for subscriptions, prompting the
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