OpenAI just announced that adverts are officially coming to ChatGPT. It seems the “future of humanity” needs to pay for its massive electricity bill somehow, and your personal prompts are the new digital billboard.
The trial starts in the US for free users and those on the new “ChatGPT Go” tier. This new level costs about eight dollars a month. It is designed for people who want fewer limits than the free version but do not want to mortgage their house for the two hundred dollar “Pro” tier. OpenAI says these ads are just helpful banners. For example, if you ask for Mexican travel tips, you might see a cheeky hotel ad pop up. They promise the ads won’t change what the AI says, but we have all heard that one before.
The Great AI Money Pit
The reality is that OpenAI is currently burning through cash like a bonfire in a gale. In the first half of 2025, they reportedly lost eight billion dollars. Only about five percent of their eight hundred million users actually pay for the service. That is a lot of people getting free homework help while the investors sweat.
| Tier | Monthly Cost (US) | The Catch |
| Free | $0 | Adverts and strict limits. |
| Go | $8 | Adverts but more speed. |
| Plus | $20 | No ads and better models. |
| Pro | $200 | For people with too much money. |
From Non-Profit to Non-Stop Adverts
OpenAI started life as a noble non-profit aimed at saving the world. Now, it looks like a standard tech giant trying to find a sofa cushion with some spare change under it. Sam Altman once said he hated adverts and called them a last resort. Well, welcome to the last resort. The AI bubble is feeling a bit thin, and investors are starting to ask pesky questions about actual profits.
Other firms are also eyeing your screen space. Perplexity tried to hire a head of advertising last year, though he left after only nine months. Google is currently playing coy about putting ads in Gemini, but given their history, it is only a matter of time before your AI assistant tries to sell you a lawnmower.
The Bottom Line
Experts say this move is not a surprise. Software is expensive, and high quality AI is the most expensive of all. If we want to keep playing with these tools without paying a fortune, we have to accept that a robot will eventually try to sell us some insurance or a new pair of trainers.
It is a bit of a shame that the most advanced tech in history is being used to tell you there is a sale on at the local supermarket. But hey, at least the AI can still help you write a poem about it.
Just try not to click the banner while you are asking for deep philosophical advice.
Related topics: Tech
