OpenAI is preparing to test advertising on ChatGPT this month, signaling a major shift in how the company plans to fund its rapidly growing and costly operations, according to The Information.
The move draws comparisons to Meta, which built a massive advertising business by monetizing user engagement.
OpenAI says ads will not influence responses and will help keep access affordable. Early pilots are expected to be limited and appear only when conversations turn toward shopping.
OpenAI's Meta makeover https://t.co/7esnga2C1p
— Axios (@axios) February 4, 2026
The change marks a reversal from earlier skepticism. CEO Sam Altman previously called ads in AI “unsettling.” However, OpenAI has hired several former Meta executives, including Fidji Simo, to scale its consumer business.
With subscription growth slowing and infrastructure costs soaring, advertising could ease investor concerns. Critics warn it may also pressure OpenAI to prioritize engagement over trust.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
