The implementation of an advertising model represents a significant shift in OpenAI's strategy. This decision aims to diversify revenue sources ahead of a potential IPO and to offset the high costs of developing and maintaining AI technologies. The publication emphasizes that OpenAI does not expect to become profitable in the coming years and plans to invest about $1.4 trillion in data centers and chips.
In the first phase of testing, ads will be displayed at the bottom of ChatGPT responses in the form of sponsored products and services. OpenAI believes that such advertising will help users make more informed choices when shopping.
According to Bloomberg, ChatGPT has over 800 million active users each week. The company also employs managers with experience in advertising, including Fiji Simo, head of OpenAI's applications division, who previously worked on advertising projects at Facebook and led Instacart.
Simo noted that advertising will not affect the quality of ChatGPT's responses and assured that the company will not share user data with advertisers and does not plan to show ads on sensitive topics such as mental health and politics to underage users.
Additionally, Bloomberg reminds that Walt Disney Co. previously signed a three-year agreement with OpenAI, under which it will invest $1 billion and provide licenses for the use of its characters for the Sora platform.
