Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT. Here’s How They’ll Work (www.wired.com)

OpenAI has announced that it will begin testing advertisements within ChatGPT in the coming weeks, starting in the United States and expanding globally. This represents a significant shift for the platform, which currently boasts over 800 million weekly active users, many of whom utilize the free version. OpenAI asserts that these ads will not influence ChatGPT's responses; they will be displayed in clearly marked boxes below the chatbot's answers. The initial rollout will include ads for users on both the free and a new $8-a-month Go tier, while Plus, Pro, and Enterprise users will remain ad-free. The introduction of ads is a strategic move for OpenAI, as the company has previously struggled to monetize its vast audience against rising competition from companies like Google. Importantly, the ads will not target individual user data but will instead rely on aggregate performance metrics and conversation topics. OpenAI has promised to maintain user privacy, with users able to opt out of certain personalization features without losing the overall functionality of ChatGPT. As ads evolve, the challenge for OpenAI will be to balance monetization with user trust and experience, avoiding pitfalls that have plagued other platforms in the past.