OpenAI announced on Friday, Jan. 16, that it will start testing advertisements in the coming weeks for non-paying users of its ChatGPT chatbot worldwide as part of its efforts to generate revenue and move the San Francisco-based company toward profitability.
OpenAI said the advertisements will appear only for users who access the free version of ChatGPT and will not affect subscribers to its paid premium tiers.
The company stated that it has not yet launched the ads and will initially run them as tests to measure user response and performance.
OpenAI reported that ChatGPT has more than 800 million users globally and that most of them currently use the service without paying subscription fees.
Company representatives said the ad initiative forms part of a broader monetization strategy designed to support the costs of developing and operating large-scale artificial intelligence systems.
OpenAI confirmed that it continues to invest heavily in computing infrastructure, model training, and safety research, which it identified as major cost drivers behind ChatGPT and its related services.
The firm said it plans to work with selected advertisers during the initial testing phase and will evaluate how to expand the program based on early results.
OpenAI indicated that it will provide advertisers with tools to reach ChatGPT users through formats integrated into the chatbot experience, subject to technical and policy guidelines.
The company said it will publish more detailed information about its advertising policies, including restrictions on certain categories of ads and rules governing data use, before full deployment.
OpenAI stated that it will inform users when content includes paid advertising and will label ads clearly to distinguish them from standard chatbot responses.
Executives at OpenAI said they view advertising as one of several revenue streams, alongside subscriptions, enterprise offerings, and licensing deals with technology partners.
The company, which private market estimates value at around $500 billion, has acknowledged that it currently incurs losses as it scales its AI products and infrastructure.
OpenAI said it will monitor the impact of ads on user experience metrics such as engagement, session length, and user retention during the test period.
The firm added that it may adjust the frequency, placement, and format of ads in ChatGPT based on feedback from users, advertisers, and internal evaluations.
OpenAI stated that it will maintain existing privacy protections for ChatGPT users and that it will disclose how it uses data for ad targeting and measurement in updated documentation.
The company said it will comply with applicable advertising and data protection regulations in markets where it introduces ChatGPT ads.
OpenAI confirmed that it will continue to offer a free version of ChatGPT with core functionality while using advertising and subscriptions to fund ongoing development and operations.
