The Problem With OpenAI Putting Ads in ChatGPT

OpenAI's Plan to Display Ads in ChatGPT Sparks Concerns Over User Trust and Ad Safety.

In a move that has surprised even its closest competitors, OpenAI announced last month that it will introduce ads in some plans of its popular chatbot platform, ChatGPT. The decision has raised concerns among experts about the potential impact on user trust and ad safety.

While advertising remains a lucrative revenue stream for many online businesses, critics argue that introducing ads into AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT can undermine the user experience and erode trust in these tools. Gilad Bechar, co-founder and CEO of Moburst, a growth marketing agency used by Google, warned that if an ad does not feel relevant or valuable to the conversation, it doesn't belong.

OpenAI maintains that ads will not influence ChatGPT's answers, but critics argue that separating advertising from AI outputs may prove difficult in practice. Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at the nonpartisan think tank Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), said, "OpenAI is starting down a risky path... Business models based on targeted advertising put really dangerous incentives in place when it comes to user privacy."

The introduction of ads into ChatGPT has also raised concerns among women, who make up more than half of the platform's users. Research from the Oxford Internet Institute suggests that women are more likely to recognize AI's societal risks and inequities, making them particularly skeptical about advertising on platforms they use for entertainment.

Google, meanwhile, is pursuing its own commercial strategy, with a shopping feature in Gemini that allows users to buy items directly inside the app. However, this move raises questions about bias and conflicts of interest, highlighting the need for more transparency and accountability in AI-powered ad delivery.

As AI companies continue to explore new revenue streams, concerns over user trust, ad safety, and digital equity are growing. With billions being burned on computing power, ads are becoming an increasingly attractive option – but at what cost?

I'm really worried about this... like how can we even be sure that these ads aren't influencing the answers ChatGPT gives us?! It's one thing to have a few relevant ads in the corner, but then it starts to feel like they're actually changing the way the chatbot thinks and responds... and what about all those women who are already super wary of AI because of how it can be used against them? We need to make sure that these companies aren't just trying to make a quick buck off our trust, but also making us feel like we're being actually helped by the tech...

this is a super interesting development. i think openai's decision to put ads in chatgpt is a bit of a double-edged sword. on one hand, it could bring in some much-needed revenue and help keep the platform running smoothly. on the other hand, as miranda bogen said, there are some serious risks around user privacy and ad safety.

i'm curious to know how openai plans to balance these competing interests. will users be able to opt-out of ads? will the ads be tailored to individual conversations or more general? these are all important questions that need answering.

personally, i think it's great that google is exploring alternative revenue streams like shopping features in geminii. it shows that companies are willing to experiment and find new ways to monetize their platforms.

but at the end of the day, it's about making sure that users feel safe and respected online. if openai can figure out a way to do that while still bringing in some revenue, then i think they'll be onto something

I'm totally down with OpenAI testing ads in ChatGPT, but only if they're super relevant and don't throw the user experience out the window. I mean, think about it, we all get bombarded with ads on social media and YouTube already, so adding them to a chatbot doesn't seem like that big of a deal... right? But at the same time, I can see why experts are worried – what if the ad is totally out of context or just annoying? That'd be super frustrating! Maybe OpenAI should consider partnering with some more women-led companies to make sure they're representing the community that uses ChatGPT...

Ugh dont even get me started on this like whats next openai gonna be selling our personal info to the highest bidder??? i mean i know ads can be cool and all but when its ai we gotta think about the bigger picture here. users trust is everything with these platforms and if they mess up even once its over i cant believe google is just sitting back watching this happen meanwhile i'm over here thinking "yooo dont do it google" like seriously who wants to buy stuff in a chatbot lol just no thanks

omg I'm low-key freaking out about this like I use chatGPT all the time for school and stuff and now they're gonna show me ads???! that's just so extra... my friends and I were talking about it last night and we're all like "wait, isn't the point of using AI to avoid all these annoying ads?" I mean I get it, money needs to be made but can't they just find another way to make a buck?

and have you seen my chatGPT conversation history? it's full of personal stuff... now they're gonna show me ads for makeup and skincare products?? that's just creepy... I'm already paranoid about Google tracking my search history, now this?

aww this is kinda scary ... thinkin about all the times we relied on chatbots like ChatGPT for help or just a good convo, and now they're gonna be sellin us stuff too... it's like, can't we just have a chill conversation without feelin like we gotta make a purchase? i get that ads are a big money maker, but do we really wanna sacrifice user trust for the sake of profits? what if we're not even bein told what's goin on with our data? anywayz, hope OpenAI takes feedback from all these experts seriously and finds a way to make this work without losin us users' trust

I'm low-key worried about this move by OpenAI . As someone who's spent hours chatting with ChatGPT, I can see how it'd be a game-changer for ad revenue, but also super off-putting if the ads feel forced or not relevant to the convo. I mean, who wants an ad to ruin their relaxing conversation?

And Miranda Bogen makes some solid points about user privacy and bias in AI-powered ads. It's like, we're already dealing with enough creepy online stuff – do we really need more targeted ads?

It'd be cool if OpenAI could find a way to make it work without sacrificing the user experience, though. Maybe they could do something like offer users more control over which ads they see or what kind of content is being promoted? That way, you get your ad revenue and still maintain some semblance of trust with your users

I'm kinda torn about this... I mean, on one hand, ads in ChatGPT can bring in some serious cash for OpenAI, which is essential for developing and maintaining their AI platform. But then again, it's like, don't we want to trust the AI when we're chatting with it? I'm not sure if separating ad value from AI outputs is even possible, like Miranda Bogen said... What if an ad just feels forced or irrelevant? It could totally ruin the user experience. On the other hand, business models based on ads can be a major driver of innovation and investment in AI research... That's gotta be a good thing, right?

I think this is a big deal for OpenAI and other AI companies. If they start showing ads in ChatGPT, it's gonna change the game completely. Users are already super attached to these chatbots, so if they feel like it's being sold out to advertisers, they'll ditch it fast. It's not just about user trust, though - it's also about what kind of messages we're having to listen to on a daily basis. I mean, have you seen those Instagram ads that pop up everywhere? They can be super annoying!

I don't know about this... I mean, I get it, OpenAI needs the money or whatever . But, like, introducing ads into ChatGPT? It just seems like a weird move to me. I'm all for businesses making some cash, but when you're dealing with AI and stuff, it's gotta be done right, you know?

I'm worried about user trust, for real. If an ad feels forced or random, it's gonna ruin the vibe of the whole thing. And what about those women who use ChatGPT all the time? They're already skeptical about AI's societal risks... adding ads to the mix just seems like a bad idea .

And, honestly, I don't think Google's shopping feature is a good look either. It feels like they're trying too hard to make a buck. What if it skews their search results or something? Transparency and accountability are key in this AI thing... we need to be careful how we roll out these new features .

But, at the same time, I guess OpenAI's got a point. They do need money to keep developing ChatGPT and all that. Maybe they'll figure it out... or maybe not . Either way, it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out!

Man, introducing ads into ChatGPT is like, a double-edged sword, right? On one hand, it's gonna bring in some serious cash for OpenAI, and who doesn't love a good paycheck . But on the other hand, you gotta think about the user experience and whether or not people are gonna feel like they're being sold to while they're trying to have a convo with their AI buddy.

I mean, I get it, ads can be relevant if done right, but what happens when they're not? Like, imagine you're having a deep conversation with ChatGPT about your favorite TV shows and then suddenly, "Hey, check out this sick new watch on Amazon!" . It's just gonna be super jarring, you know?

And don't even get me started on the whole women vs AI thing . If more women are recognizing these societal risks, that means we need to be having some serious conversations about how we're approaching ad delivery in AI-powered platforms.

I guess what I'm saying is, it's all about finding that balance and making sure users trust us (and ourselves) when it comes to our AI creations . Let's hope OpenAI and the rest can navigate this without losing sight of what's really important: making these tools awesome for everyone

I'm feeling pretty uneasy about OpenAI's decision to add ads to ChatGPT . I mean, we're already dealing with so many issues related to AI and bias - adding advertising to the mix seems like a recipe for disaster. What if the ads are targeted at vulnerable groups or amplify existing biases? It just doesn't feel right. And what about the user experience? I love ChatGPT for its conversational interface, but now it's gonna be all about money . We need to be careful about how we approach this kind of stuff - transparency and accountability are key .

this is a big move for OpenAI, i mean who wouldn't want the cash but introducing ads to ChatGPT raises some serious concerns about user trust and ad safety . if they can't guarantee that the ads won't influence their answers then what's the point? also what about all those women who are already skeptical about AI's societal risks and inequities? do we really want to compromise our digital spaces for a few bucks? gotta ask, where's the proof that this move will actually work out? source pls?

this is like super bad news fam! I'm all about innovation & progress, but introducing ads to ChatGPT feels kinda icky . I get it, money makes moves, but we gotta consider the users' trust & experience, right? Like, what if the ad is low-key trying to manipulate me into buying something I don't need? That's not cool.

And omg, think about all the women who use ChatGPT – they're like the most cautious users out there . If ads are going to be a thing on this platform, it needs to be super transparent & safe for them too .

But at the same time... I'm down for OpenAI trying new revenue streams . It's all about finding that balance between making money & being considerate of our digital lives . Maybe they'll figure out a way to make ads work without messing with user trust or ad safety? We just gotta keep an eye on this one

I'm kinda surprised that OpenAI is introducing ads into ChatGPT . I mean, the thing is super useful for research or just chatting with friends, and now you're gonna have to deal with ads . It's like they're taking a step back from being this amazing tool and turning it into something more commercial.

I'm worried about user trust, tbh . If the ads are not relevant or good enough, it can really ruin the experience for me . And what if it's biased? I've heard rumors of that happening with other AI platforms .

I also feel like this is a bigger issue than just ads on ChatGPT . It's about how we think about value and revenue in the tech industry . Are we sacrificing user experience for profits? That's what I'm worried about

Ugh I dont get why they cant just keep ChatGPT ad free like my mom says the ads on her favorite YouTube vids are super annoying anyway I mean whats wrong with people getting what they pay for? Can someone explain to me how targeted ads work tho? My friend is always saying something about data and cookies but I dont get it

I'm not sure if introducing ads into ChatGPT is a necessary evil or a slippery slope. On one hand, it's a great way for OpenAI to monetize its platform and sustain its development. But on the other hand, it can lead to a loss of trust among users, especially women who are already skeptical about AI's societal implications. Think about it, what's the true value of an ad that feels like it's disrupting the conversation? Is it really worth sacrificing user experience and autonomy for? I'm not convinced that ads will be easily distinguishable from genuine responses, and that's where things can get messy. We need to consider the power dynamics at play here – who benefits from this model, and at what cost?

Ugh, I'm so done with these platforms trying to make a quick buck by ruining the whole user experience . Like, can't they just focus on making their products better for once? Introducing ads into ChatGPT is just another way to nickel and dime users - it's like OpenAI thinks we're all just stupid enough to not notice when our conversations are being interrupted by annoying ads . And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency... I mean, how can anyone trust an AI that's got ads embedded in its output? It's just a slippery slope from there - next thing you know, they'll be selling our personal data to the highest bidder . Can't we just have a platform where users come first for once?

idk man... i'm all for openai making some cash but ads in chatgpt feel super out of place . it's like, we're already dealing with so much info overload online and now you wanna hit us with more ads on a platform that's supposed to be helpful? . also, what's the point of having all this data on users if you're not gonna protect it? i think openai needs to rethink their strategy on ad safety . maybe instead of ads they could focus on making chatgpt even more useful and user-friendly... that's what i'd pay for .