The Rise of Ads in Chatbots: A Recipe for Disaster?
A recent announcement by OpenAI has sent shockwaves through the AI community, sparking heated debates about the role of advertising in chatbots. The company plans to introduce ads into some of its ChatGPT plans, a move that has raised eyebrows among competitors and critics alike.
At a time when large AI companies are desperately seeking new ways to make money, this development highlights the urgent need for sustainable business models. Despite their soaring valuations, none of the major players is profitable, largely due to the enormous cost of compute power, which is only expected to rise.
The introduction of ads in chatbots poses significant risks, including undermining user trust and degrading the experience that made these tools popular in the first place. Gilad Bechar, co-founder and CEO at Moburst, a growth marketing agency used by Google, warns that "if an ad does not feel like a resource or a solution in that specific moment, it does not belong in the chat." Critics argue that separating advertising from AI outputs may prove harder in practice, as AIs are increasingly being pushed into more sensitive areas.
Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at the nonpartisan think tank Center for Democracy and Technology, cautions that OpenAI's decision "puts really dangerous incentives in place when it comes to user privacy." The potential backlash could be especially strong among women, who now make up more than half of ChatGPT's users.
Research from the Oxford Internet Institute suggests that women are more likely to recognize AI's societal risks and inequities, making them more skeptical about advertising on platforms they use for entertainment. This is the "perfect storm" for OpenAI to bleed subscribers, according to Shampaigne Graves, a women's consumer expert and founder of Boldifi.
Meanwhile, Google is pursuing its own commercial strategy, launching a shopping feature in Gemini that allows users to buy items directly inside the app. While this move raises questions about bias and conflicts of interest, it highlights the growing trend of companies seeking to monetize their chatbot services through advertising and other means.
The industry's push into AIs-powered devices like watches and smart glasses also raises concerns about data security and user trust. As AI companies continue to expand their offerings, it remains to be seen whether they can balance revenue goals with user needs and maintain a trustworthy experience. One thing is certain: the introduction of ads in chatbots marks a significant turning point in the industry's journey towards sustainable business models and responsible innovation.
A recent announcement by OpenAI has sent shockwaves through the AI community, sparking heated debates about the role of advertising in chatbots. The company plans to introduce ads into some of its ChatGPT plans, a move that has raised eyebrows among competitors and critics alike.
At a time when large AI companies are desperately seeking new ways to make money, this development highlights the urgent need for sustainable business models. Despite their soaring valuations, none of the major players is profitable, largely due to the enormous cost of compute power, which is only expected to rise.
The introduction of ads in chatbots poses significant risks, including undermining user trust and degrading the experience that made these tools popular in the first place. Gilad Bechar, co-founder and CEO at Moburst, a growth marketing agency used by Google, warns that "if an ad does not feel like a resource or a solution in that specific moment, it does not belong in the chat." Critics argue that separating advertising from AI outputs may prove harder in practice, as AIs are increasingly being pushed into more sensitive areas.
Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at the nonpartisan think tank Center for Democracy and Technology, cautions that OpenAI's decision "puts really dangerous incentives in place when it comes to user privacy." The potential backlash could be especially strong among women, who now make up more than half of ChatGPT's users.
Research from the Oxford Internet Institute suggests that women are more likely to recognize AI's societal risks and inequities, making them more skeptical about advertising on platforms they use for entertainment. This is the "perfect storm" for OpenAI to bleed subscribers, according to Shampaigne Graves, a women's consumer expert and founder of Boldifi.
Meanwhile, Google is pursuing its own commercial strategy, launching a shopping feature in Gemini that allows users to buy items directly inside the app. While this move raises questions about bias and conflicts of interest, it highlights the growing trend of companies seeking to monetize their chatbot services through advertising and other means.
The industry's push into AIs-powered devices like watches and smart glasses also raises concerns about data security and user trust. As AI companies continue to expand their offerings, it remains to be seen whether they can balance revenue goals with user needs and maintain a trustworthy experience. One thing is certain: the introduction of ads in chatbots marks a significant turning point in the industry's journey towards sustainable business models and responsible innovation.
... Ads in chatbots?! That's just a recipe for disaster 
! I mean, what's next? Selling our personal data to the highest bidder 
? It's like they're not even considering the consequences of messing with user trust 
. Women are already skeptical about AI, and now you're gonna throw ads into the mix? Forget it 
. Mark my words, this is a huge mistake 
... OpenAI needs to rethink their strategy before it's too late 
. Adding ads can totally ruin the vibe of these apps. It's like, if you're already stressed about your mental health or just need some support, do you really want to be bombarded with ads? And what's to stop companies from using AI to target ads at specific demographics and, like, manipulate people into buying stuff they don't even need 
? I'm all for sustainable business models, but this feels like a step in the wrong direction...
It seems like we're trading user trust for some extra cash 
. And what's next? Advertisements on our faces 
Not trying to sell us stuff all day long... 
I'm literally so done with this 
! Like, what's next? Are we gonna start seeing pop-up ads on our personal AI assistants or something?! 
.
It's time for some serious innovation and not just 
.
. We all know how easy it is to click 'I'm not interested' or swipe away, but when it's a chatbot, it's like they're taking away the one thing that makes us trust them - their word 
what's next, ads in our Alexa skills?!? 
. That's just annoying. And what about when those ads are super targeted and personal? It feels like they're basically invading my space 
. Maybe there's a way to do it in a way that feels more organic and less like a hard sell 
It's like, we need to make sure these chatbots are cool for everyone, not just some people who want to sell us stuff... 
. I mean, what's next? Sponsored content on Google Maps? It just feels like a slippery slope 
. What do you think is the most pressing concern here? 
maybe they can focus on education or community building instead of just ads? 
It's already hard enough to trust these AI tools, and now they're going to try to make money off us too? 
. But, at the same time, isn't that just a bit too much? Like, don't we want to make sure our AI friends aren't influencing our purchases or something? 
. Who needs ads when you can just have your data harvested? 
. Women know the truth about AI