OpenAI has launched a limited ad test in the U.S. for logged-in adult users on its Free and Go subscription tiers, marking a significant shift in its business model. The Go plan, priced at $8 per month, is a low-cost option introduced in January. Users on paid tiers—including Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education—will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience. The move aims to generate revenue to support the growing infrastructure costs of maintaining and improving ChatGPT, which serves hundreds of millions of users globally. OpenAI emphasized that ads will not influence the quality or neutrality of ChatGPT’s responses. Answers are still optimized solely for helpfulness, and all ads are clearly labeled as sponsored and visually separated from organic content. The company insists that user privacy remains paramount: advertisers do not receive access to chat history, personal data, or private conversations. Instead, they only receive aggregated performance data such as views and clicks. During the test, OpenAI matches ads to users based on the topic of their current conversation, past interactions, and ad engagement history. For example, a user discussing meal planning might see ads for grocery delivery or meal kits. If multiple advertisers bid for relevance, the most contextually appropriate ad is shown first. The company also plans to expand responsibly, with safeguards to prevent ads near sensitive topics like health, mental health, or politics, and to exclude users under 18. Users have full control over their ad experience. They can dismiss ads, provide feedback, view why they were shown a particular ad, delete their ad data with a single tap, and adjust personalization settings at any time. OpenAI is committed to maintaining a clear separation between ads and AI-generated content, ensuring that advertising feels relevant and useful rather than intrusive. The decision comes amid growing financial pressure. Despite a valuation of $500 billion and rising expectations of a potential IPO with a trillion-dollar market cap, OpenAI’s operations are extremely costly, driven by massive computing demands. CEO Sam Altman, who once opposed advertising, has now embraced it as a necessary step to sustain the platform’s development and broader access. The move has drawn criticism and mockery, particularly from rival Anthropic, which debuted its own Super Bowl ads targeting OpenAI’s ad strategy. One ad humorously depicted a ChatGPT-like AI delivering advice before abruptly pitching a fictional cougar-dating app, satirizing the potential for poorly integrated ads. Altman responded angrily, calling the ads “dishonest” and accusing Anthropic of being “authoritarian.” Despite concerns about user trust, OpenAI argues that ads can enhance the experience by connecting users to relevant products during moments of active decision-making—such as researching purchases or planning trips. The company views conversational advertising as uniquely valuable because it can be contextually relevant and non-disruptive when done well. OpenAI’s long-term vision includes evolving the ad program to support new formats, objectives, and buying models, while carefully vetting advertisers to prevent scams or misleading content. The current test is designed to learn from real-world use, gather feedback, and refine the system before any broader rollout. Ultimately, OpenAI reaffirms that core principles remain unchanged: ChatGPT’s answers stay independent, conversations stay private, and users retain meaningful control. The ad test is not about monetizing personal data but about funding the continued innovation and accessibility of one of the world’s most widely used AI tools.