A senior researcher at OpenAI has resigned in protest over the company’s decision to begin testing advertisements within its popular ChatGPT platform. Zoë Hitzig, who played a key role in shaping the company’s safety and policy initiatives, stepped down on the same day OpenAI launched its ad trials, signaling growing internal concern about the company’s shift toward monetization. Hitzig expressed deep reservations about the direction OpenAI is taking, warning that the integration of ads could erode user trust and compromise the ethical principles the company once championed. She compared the move to the trajectory of Facebook, where monetization strategies led to widespread criticism over data privacy, misinformation, and addictive design. “We’re on a path that prioritizes revenue over responsibility,” Hitzig said in a statement shared with media outlets. “If we don’t act now, we risk becoming the very thing we set out to challenge.” Her departure follows increasing scrutiny of OpenAI’s evolving business model. While the company has long positioned itself as a mission-driven organization focused on safe and beneficial AI, recent developments—including the introduction of paid subscription tiers, enterprise licensing, and now advertising—have raised questions about its long-term priorities. The ad tests are currently limited to a small group of users in the U.S. and are displayed within the free version of ChatGPT. The ads appear as sponsored results, similar to those seen on search engines, and are targeted based on user behavior. OpenAI says the goal is to sustain the platform’s development and keep the free tier accessible, but critics argue that such measures could introduce bias, manipulate user attention, and undermine the integrity of AI-generated content. Hitzig’s resignation has sparked a broader conversation within the AI community about the tension between innovation, ethics, and profit. Several other employees have reportedly voiced concerns internally, though few have spoken publicly. Her exit underscores the growing unease among early AI pioneers who fear that commercial pressures may dilute the original vision of responsible AI development. As OpenAI continues to scale its operations and expand its product offerings, the departure of a key figure like Hitzig serves as a cautionary signal. The company now faces mounting pressure to balance growth with its stated commitment to safety, transparency, and public benefit.