OpenAI announced it will begin testing targeted ads within its ChatGPT service in the coming weeks, marking a significant strategic shift to diversify its revenue. The ads will initially be rolled out to users in the United States on the free and lower-cost "Go" tiers, while premium subscriptions will remain ad-free.
The company stated the ads will be contextually relevant to conversations and appear in a labeled box below the chatbot's answers. OpenAI emphasized that user data will not be sold to advertisers and that the ads will not influence the model's responses, aiming to monetize its large user base without compromising user trust.