OpenAI announces ads in ChatGPT, CEO Sam Altman praises Instagram: ‘It is clear to us that…’

OpenAI has announced that it will begin testing ads in ChatGPT in the coming weeks, marking a shift in the startup’s business model as it seeks to monetise its massive free user base and cover the soaring AI infrastructure costs. CEO Sam Altman said that the ads will be introduced specifically for users on the Free tier and the newly launched ChatGPT Go plan, an $8-per-month subscription that debuted in the US. Notably, high-tier subscribers on Plus ($20/mo), Pro ($200/mo), and Enterprise plans will remain ad-free.

“We are starting to test ads in ChatGPT free and Go (new $8/month option) tiers,” Altman wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that the company “will not accept money to influence the answer ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations private from advertisers.”