Fri, 16 Jan 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 ChatGPT to carry adverts for some users

OpenAI is also expanding its cheaper subscription tier, ChatGPT Go, to all countries where it operates.
OpenAI has announced that it will start testing ads on its AI tool ChatGPT in the US, initially affecting some free users and those on the new ChatGPT Go subscription tier. The cheaper option, which costs $8 per month or equivalent, will be available globally. Relevant ads will appear after a prompt, for example, asking about travel recommendations for Mexico might show holiday ads. OpenAI claims that the ads won't influence its responses and it won't share conversation data with advertisers. The decision to introduce ads is seen as a way for OpenAI to generate more revenue, as it has been burning through investor money despite rapid user growth. Analysts predict that the AI sector may be overvalued and facing an unsustainable "bubble" that could burst soon. An expert in AI says that advertising is a reliable revenue source for software businesses, which is why OpenAI is turning to it. ChatGPT Go was first introduced in India last year before being expanded to other countries. The new tier joins existing options Plus and Pro, which cost $20 and $200 per month respectively. OpenAI has increasingly shifted towards a commercial operation after starting as a non-profit organization. This move follows Google's Gemini AI tool reportedly considering ad revenue and Perplexity's previous foray into advertising with a head of advertising and shopping role.
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