Cybernews reports that OpenAI is exploring the possibility of showing sponsored content and ads in ChatGPT, including potentially placing “sponsored content” alongside or within responses when ads are eventually introduced. Mockups seen by insiders suggest ads could appear in a sidebar next to answers, and sponsored content might even be prioritized in responses, though OpenAI says it’s only exploring what ads could look like and would aim to respect users’ trust. The idea has fueled controversy because integrating ads into AI responses is seen as risky given how persuasive chatbots are, and CEO Sam Altman has previously said ads with AI are “uniquely unsettling” and a last resort, so it’s unclear when or if these changes will roll out.
