OpenAI has begun placing ads in basic versions of ChatGPT, a move they hope won't impact users' experience as their operating costs rise.
According to the company, the test is for adult users logged into the Free and Go subscription tiers in the United States. The Go subscription costs $8 in the US. Premium users will remain ad-free.
OpenAI advises that "Ads do not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations private from advertisers," so users' privacy is still safe.
Since launching ChatGPT in 2022, OpenAI's valuation has reached $500 billion, higher than other private companies. However, their funding is also quickly running out, especially for the powerful computing required for the service.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has long expressed skepticism about advertising due to the possibility that it could cause distrust in ChatGPT's content. The company's sudden change in stance has given an opportunity to competitors like Anthropic, which announced in its debut Super Bowl ads that its chatbot would remain ad-free.
