OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously said he hates ads and he was concerned about products that manipulate the truth to suit advertisers.
Could ChatGPT launch an advertising product within the next year? The answer seems to be yes, based on internal OpenAI documents.
OpenAI appears to forecast a billion dollars in new revenue from “free user monetization” in 2026. That figure is forecast to grow to nearly $25 billion by 2029 of OpenAI’s total $125 billion projection.
The chart. Here’s a chart of OpenAI’s projection of rising revenues that includes “new products (including free user monetization).” Yes, that means ads:
OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch an ad-supported version of ChatGPT. This version would allow users free access to the chatbot’s capabilities while displaying ads as part of the experience. The move aims to offer broader access without relying entirely on subscriptions. However, important details such as how the ads will be shown or how frequently they will appear have not yet been disclosed. OpenAI has also not confirmed a specific timeline for this new rollout.
