OpenAI's foray into advertising in its popular chatbot ChatGPT has sparked concern among competitors and experts, highlighting the tension between monetizing a service that relies on user trust. The move is part of a broader trend among large AI companies to explore new revenue streams, despite soaring valuations and substantial losses.
While OpenAI claims that ads will not influence a chatbot's answers, critics argue that separating advertising from AI outputs may prove more challenging in practice. "It carries a high risk of feeling intrusive if a brand interrupts a helpful A.I. conversation with an unsolicited pitch," says Gilad Bechar, co-founder and CEO at Moburst. The ad might not belong in the chat, he warns.
The introduction of ads is also being seen as part of a broader push by AI companies into more sensitive areas, such as healthcare, where accuracy and reliability are paramount. Critics argue that business models based on targeted advertising can create dangerous incentives for user privacy. "OpenAI is starting down a risky path," says Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at Center for Democracy and Technology. "Even if A.I. platforms don’t share data directly with advertisers, business models based on targeted advertising put really dangerous incentives in place when it comes to user privacy."
Women are also expected to be particularly affected by the introduction of ads in ChatGPT, according to Shampaigne Graves, a women's consumer expert and founder of Boldifi. Women are more likely to recognize AI's societal risks and inequities and may be less tolerant of advertising on platforms they use for entertainment.
Google is pursuing its own commercial strategy with the launch of a shopping feature in Gemini that allows users to buy items directly inside the app. The move raises questions about bias and conflicts of interest, highlighting the need for greater transparency and regulation in AI-driven advertising.
The introduction of ads marks a new frontier in the quest for revenue among large AI companies, despite concerns about user trust and privacy. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be crucial to strike a balance between monetization and user welfare.
While OpenAI claims that ads will not influence a chatbot's answers, critics argue that separating advertising from AI outputs may prove more challenging in practice. "It carries a high risk of feeling intrusive if a brand interrupts a helpful A.I. conversation with an unsolicited pitch," says Gilad Bechar, co-founder and CEO at Moburst. The ad might not belong in the chat, he warns.
The introduction of ads is also being seen as part of a broader push by AI companies into more sensitive areas, such as healthcare, where accuracy and reliability are paramount. Critics argue that business models based on targeted advertising can create dangerous incentives for user privacy. "OpenAI is starting down a risky path," says Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at Center for Democracy and Technology. "Even if A.I. platforms don’t share data directly with advertisers, business models based on targeted advertising put really dangerous incentives in place when it comes to user privacy."
Women are also expected to be particularly affected by the introduction of ads in ChatGPT, according to Shampaigne Graves, a women's consumer expert and founder of Boldifi. Women are more likely to recognize AI's societal risks and inequities and may be less tolerant of advertising on platforms they use for entertainment.
Google is pursuing its own commercial strategy with the launch of a shopping feature in Gemini that allows users to buy items directly inside the app. The move raises questions about bias and conflicts of interest, highlighting the need for greater transparency and regulation in AI-driven advertising.
The introduction of ads marks a new frontier in the quest for revenue among large AI companies, despite concerns about user trust and privacy. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be crucial to strike a balance between monetization and user welfare.
but seriously ads in chatbots like chatgpt are just plain weird... can't we focus on making these tools useful instead of nickel & diming us? 
i mean think about it, you're already using this thing for entertainment or to get help, and then suddenly an ad pops up and ruins the vibe... what's next, sponsored content in your healthcare chatbot 
?
. And what if women are right on about this? They might be more attuned to AI's potential biases and stuff. We should make sure any business model we use doesn't compromise user trust or privacy 
. Google's trying something similar with Gemini, but at least they're transparent about it... kinda 
. I think this is a big deal - let's hope these companies can figure out how to balance revenue with user welfare 
They're trying to make some serious cash but at what cost? Users trust these chatbots for info and help, not for ads 
If a brand just pops up with an unsolicited pitch it can be super frustrating. And I feel like this is gonna affect women more, they're already the ones fighting for more transparency in advertising... we need to make sure our AI friends are still about helping us out, not just making money 
It's not like AI is supposed to be all about helpfulness and trust or anything. And yeah, because ads won't influence a chatbot's answers at all... that sounds super realistic. 
. And what about all the other AI chatbots out there? Are they gonna get flooded with ads too? 
I don't wanna see them start interrupting my conversations with weird sales pitches 
. Plus, I've heard some pretty valid concerns from experts about user privacy and bias 
. Can't we just find a way to make this work that doesn't compromise our trust in these amazing tools? 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, AI chatbots are super cool and all, but adding ads to the mix just feels like too much, you know? It's like they're trying to turn us into robots or something 
. And what's next? Are we gonna be bombarded with ads in our dreams?! 
. And don't even get me started on the women's thing - I totally agree with Shampaigne Graves, women have a unique perspective on AI's societal implications 
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. We need some regulation, transparency, and a whole lot more user awareness 
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... what if you're in the middle of something super personal and then BAM! an ad shows up 
...
. OpenAI's getting into ad game, and Google's already doing its thing with Gemini... it's like they're trying to outmaneuver each other 
. Shampaigne Graves says they're gonna be affected more, and I'm like, "Yeah, because we've already seen how AI can be used against us... think Cambridge Analytica 
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. We need to stay vigilant and keep an eye on these companies' moves. Can't trust them just yet 
.
Yeah, let's not make them more annoyed by ads 
. Google is already doing their own thing with Gemini and that's just a mess 
. Can't we just have some transparency and regulation around these ad deals? 
. It's also concerning that we're seeing this trend in other areas of AI, like healthcare, where accuracy is super important.
. I mean, I'm all for companies making money, but can't we prioritize transparency and regulation first? It feels like we're just playing catch-up as AI companies try to monetize their products without thinking about the consequences.
. I mean, think about it – we're already bombarded with ads on social media and websites; do we really need more? 
. As a wellness enthusiast, I believe it's essential to prioritize our mental health and online safety in this ever-evolving digital landscape 
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They're just gonna put ads in chatbot conversations? Like, what's next? 
Women are already so under pressure to buy stuff and be perfect... the last thing we need is more advertising telling us what to do. 