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ChatGPT Enters the Ad Era
3 min read OpenAI has begun testing ads in ChatGPT for Free and Go users in the U.S., while paid subscribers will remain ad-free. The move signals a shift toward advertising as a revenue model to fund expensive AI development, even as rivals mock the idea and debate grows over how ads could affect trust and user experience. February 10, 2026 10:20
OpenAI has started testing ads inside ChatGPT for users on its Free and Go plans in the U.S., marking a major shift in how AI platforms will make money.
The Go plan, launched globally in January, costs $8 per month, while users on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans will remain ad-free.
OpenAI insists that ads won’t influence ChatGPT’s answers and that conversations will remain private from advertisers. The company says ads are meant to fund broader access to more powerful AI features without compromising trust.
But the timing couldn’t be more dramatic.
Anthropic mocked the idea of ads in AI during the Super Bowl, showing exaggerated scenes of chatbots interrupting advice with irrelevant ads. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman fired back, calling the campaign “dishonest” and accusing Anthropic of being authoritarian.
🧠 What’s Really Happening
AI companies are running out of free money.
Training models is insanely expensive, and subscriptions alone may not be enough. Ads are becoming the inevitable business model — just like social media, search, and streaming.
🚀 Why This Matters
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ChatGPT is shifting from pure AI tool to monetized platform.
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Ads could unlock cheaper access to advanced AI for billions of users.
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The rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic is no longer technical — it’s ideological and commercial.
⚠️ The Bigger Picture
This is a turning point.
If ads succeed, AI platforms could evolve into the next generation of media companies.
If ads fail, it could damage trust in AI systems designed for personal and critical tasks.
Either way, the era of “free AI” is officially over.
AI Agents