OpenAI is reportedly moving ahead with plans to integrate advertisements into ChatGPT. Sources suggest that several high-ranking employees view ads as a significant revenue stream and are advocating for targeted advertising based on the chatbot’s memory and user data. Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who previously considered ads a last resort, has reportedly softened his position, now describing them as ‘somewhat distasteful but not a nonstarter.’ This push for advertising appears to be heavily influenced by a group of former Meta employees now working at OpenAI.
ChatGPT to Potentially Feature Targeted Advertisements
According to a report from The Information, the AI powerhouse based in San Francisco is exploring the possibility of showing users personalized advertisements. An unnamed source close to these discussions revealed that these ads could be tailored using ChatGPT’s unique memory feature, which allows the chatbot to recall specific details about its users.
Reports indicate that OpenAI has been contemplating ads for some time, but these discussions have now progressed to an advanced stage, with the company considering using user data for personalization. The company has also reportedly conducted focus groups, which found that some users already perceive ChatGPT as displaying ads, a finding that might be used to persuade decision-makers to implement actual advertisements.
Interestingly, many of the OpenAI employees championing the adoption of ads previously worked at Meta, suggesting a strong influence from a company well-versed in ad-driven models. Approximately 630 former Meta employees currently comprise nearly 20 percent of OpenAI’s total workforce. Among them is Fidji Simo, the CEO of Applications, who is also actively seeking to hire a Chief of Monetization for the company.
Furthermore, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s stance on advertising has evolved recently. In March 2024, during an interview with Lex Fridman, Altman referred to ads as a ‘momentary industry.’ By December 2024, he reiterated this sentiment, labeling ads as a ‘last resort.’ However, by October, in a podcast with Andreessen Horowitz, Altman’s tone had shifted, as he expressed that while he finds ads ‘somewhat distasteful,’ they are ‘not a nonstarter.’