In a move that marks the end of an era for many users, OpenAI announced this Friday (January 16) that it will begin displaying advertisements within ChatGPT. The new feature is set to enter a testing phase in the United States in the coming weeks, affecting both free-tier accounts and users subscribed to the Go plan.
OpenAI has stated that these ads will “not influence the chatbot’s responses”, claiming that the sponsored content will be “clearly separated from the AI’s output”. The company insists that user conversation data will “not be shared with advertisers”. Probably a lie.
How the Ads Will Work
According to an image shared by OpenAI, advertisements will appear at the bottom of the ChatGPT interface, after the AI’s response. There will be a visual distinction between organic results and sponsored content. Not every interaction will trigger an ad; the company says ads will only appear when they are “relevant to the conversation” and will be avoided in sensitive topics such as health and politics. This is guaranteed to fail and be controversial in the very first week.
Only users on the free and Go plans will be exposed to these ads at first. Subscribers to the Plus and Pro tiers will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience.
Will Ads Come to Brazil?
For now, the ad feature is limited to the United States, with no immediate plans for international rollout. However, OpenAI has announced that the ChatGPT Go plan, its most affordable subscription, will be made available globally to all countries where ChatGPT is accessible. In Brazil, the Go plan has been available since October of last year, priced at R$39.99 per month. This plan offers enhanced access to ChatGPT’s more advanced AI features compared to the free version.
Alternatives
For users concerned about ads or the rising costs of accessing advanced AI, there are other options available in the market. Some AI platforms, such as those developed by Maritaca AI, offer competitive pricing and a user experience that does not rely on advertising. These alternatives may appeal to those who prioritize privacy, cost-effectiveness, and a clean interface.
Source: Canal Tech
