Startups & Funding

ChatGPT rolls out ads

OpenAI begins ad tests, sparking a public feud with rival Anthropic.

Deep Dive

OpenAI is testing ads for users on its free and low-cost $8/month Go plan in the U.S., while paid subscribers will remain ad-free. The company insists ads do not influence ChatGPT's answers and that user conversations are kept private from advertisers. The move was mocked in Super Bowl ads by rival Anthropic, leading OpenAI's CEO to call the company 'authoritarian' and the ads 'dishonest'.

Why It Matters

This shift could make advanced AI more accessible but risks degrading the user experience many have come to trust.