Ad display will be checked in ChatGPT responses

OpenAI is apparently exploring new and different ways to incorporate ads into its popular chatbot. Reports suggest that the company plans to prioritize AI responses to sponsors’ content instead of displaying traditional ads. Designed to monetize free users, this approach could change the way we interact with ChatGPT and has raised concerns about the neutrality of responses.

According to The Information, OpenAI employees are discussing various ideas, one of the most serious of which is prioritizing sponsored content in the text of chatbot responses. This means that if a user asks a question, the AI ​​may suggest an answer for which it has been paid. Additionally, creating a sidebar for ads that appear to appear only when a user is talking about purchasing a specific product.

The interesting thing here is that OpenAI does not intend to simply copy the advertising model of Google or social networks; Rather, it wants to use data recorded from chats to display ads that are highly personalized and exactly match the user’s interests and needs. Of course, this company has told The Information that any approach in this field will be designed with respect for the trust of users.

An OpenAI approach to display sponsored content in ChatGPT

Although OpenAI’s annual revenue has reached 10 billion dollars, the heavy costs of artificial intelligence development have made the company not yet profitable. The company’s operating losses are expected to reach a whopping $74 billion by 2028. Investors are concerned about long-term profitability, and currently there are only three revenue streams (Plus/Team subscriptions, API access, and enterprise subscriptions).

The company apparently plans to start monetizing free users in 2026 and expects to earn $2 per user annually; A figure that is expected to reach 15 dollars by 2030. OpenAI seems to want to replicate the successful model of Google, which in 2023 earned about $237.8 billion, or 77% of its total revenue, from advertising.

Of course, there is a concern that the financial incentive will affect the quality and honesty of the answers. ChatGPT has much more detailed and private information about its users than search engines. If the answers are to be prioritized based on the money paid, the question becomes whether the AI ​​will give the user the “best” answer or the “most profitable” answer.

These developments come as Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced a red status after the strong performance of Google’s Gemina model, saying the company’s focus should be on improving intelligence, speed and personalization. However, it seems that the advertising project is still being pursued seriously despite the company’s shift in focus, and it remains to be seen how users will react to the combination of smart responses with advertising content.