OpenAI begins running ads in the U.S. … “New chatbot model to be released within two weeks”
Summary
- OpenAI said it has begun ad testing for some users in the U.S. on the ChatGPT Free and Go plans.
- OpenAI said it will use ad revenue to cover AI infrastructure costs and expand computing resources, improving service quality and broadening its user base.
- Altman said ChatGPT monthly user growth has recovered to above 10%, Codex sales jumped 50%, and the company plans to unveil a new AI model this week.
Ad testing for Free and Go plans
Context-aware targeted ads based on conversation analysis
Aimed at covering AI infrastructure costs
Altman hits back after Anthropic criticism
User growth returns to 10% month over month
OpenAI began running ads on the 9th (local time) for some ChatGPT users in the United States. Attention is growing over whether OpenAI’s decision—aimed at absorbing massive spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure—will spread as a revenue model across the broader AI industry.
On its website the same day, OpenAI said it would “conduct ad tests for users on the ChatGPT Free and Go (low-cost) plans.” When users search for a particular topic, ads are shown in a personalized way by analyzing prior conversation context and other signals. For example, if a user searches “What should I cook to bring to a housewarming?”, ads for meal kits and grocery delivery services may appear. Ads are clearly distinguished from regular answers with a sponsored label.
OpenAI stressed that the rationale for introducing ads is “to support more users in accessing ChatGPT’s powerful capabilities.” The plan is to secure more computing resources through ad revenue, improve service quality, and broaden the user base.
OpenAI’s move to introduce ads has also given competitors an opening to attack. Anthropic recently ran an ad in which a chatbot abruptly promotes products in the middle of giving advice, an indirect swipe at OpenAI’s ad strategy. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman showed displeasure, saying, “Anthropic is a company that offers expensive products for the wealthy.”
OpenAI appears to be regaining momentum roughly two months after declaring “code red” following Google’s launch of Gemini 3 Pro. According to CNBC, Altman informed employees on the 6th that “ChatGPT’s monthly user growth rate is back above 10%.” Sales of OpenAI’s AI coding tool Codex surged about 50% from the previous week. OpenAI is also said to be unveiling a new AI model this week.
Silicon Valley = Correspondent Kim In-yeop inside@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
