• OpenAI plans to introduce ads in ChatGPT's free and Go tiers for users in the U.S.
• Ads will appear after relevant prompts and will be clearly labeled.
• The new subscription tier, ChatGPT Go, is priced at $8 a month.

OpenAI has announced plans to begin testing advertisements in the ChatGPT chatbot, specifically targeting users in the free and new ChatGPT Go subscription tiers in the U.S. This initiative aims to explore new revenue avenues for the company, which has yet to achieve profitability. Ads will be displayed after user prompts where relevant, as indicated by OpenAI, and will not alter the responses generated by the AI. It is designed to maintain the accessibility of the service for users while creating potential income streams from advertising, according to BBC, Reuters, and CBS News.

The advertising will be trialed during conversations after users request information pertaining to specific topics. For instance, if a user asks for Mexican dining options, ChatGPT might provide recommendations alongside links to related products, such as hot sauce. OpenAI stated that ads would be labeled distinctly from the chatbot's organic responses and that user data will not be shared with advertisers. The Go subscription tier is set at $8 per month, making it a budget-friendly option for users, according to Reuters and CBS News.

OpenAI has experienced significant growth since launching ChatGPT, and this move towards monetization through ads comes as a response to the ongoing challenge of securing a sustainable business model. Reports indicate that only about 5% of its user base currently subscribes to paid services, which has prompted the company to experiment with ads to expand revenue options. As CEO Sam Altman noted, the integration of ads is one of many strategies intended to enhance income without compromising user experience, according to BBC and CBS News.