OpenAI is rolling out ads in ChatGPT's free tier and its new Go plan for some US users, aiming to cover soaring AI development costs. But don't worry – paid subscribers stay ad-free.
What's changing?
- Ads will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT answers when there's a relevant sponsor 🚀
- Only free-tier and Go users in the US will see them (users under 18 are safe 🙅♀️)
- Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise tiers remain untouched
Why now?
OpenAI is pouring big bucks into AI – think data centers, research labs, and a plan to spend over $1 trillion by 2030. Ads could unlock a fresh revenue stream from 800M+ weekly active users.
Could it backfire?
- Ads that feel clumsy might push users to rivals like Google's Gemini or Anthropic's Claude 🤖
- Maintaining trust is key – one bad ad and you might switch teams
ChatGPT Go goes global
Originally launched in India, the Go plan is now available in the US for $8/month, offering faster responses and some extra perks – but still ads for free users.
Advertisers are pumped: AI-driven targeting promises smarter ad recommendations across social and search 🎯. OpenAI promises ads won't influence ChatGPT's answers or share your chats with marketers.
Bottom line: OpenAI is exploring a new path to fund its AI dreams while keeping core experiences smooth for paying users. Stay tuned for ads – they're coming soon! 🔜
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
