In a major move to democratize access to advanced AI, ChatGPT is expanding its low-cost subscription tier, ChatGPT Go, to the U.S. and globally. The $8 USD/month plan offers expanded features like messaging, image creation, file uploads, and memory, making AI more accessible to a broader audience.

Starting in the coming weeks, ChatGPT will begin testing ads in its free and Go tiers in the U.S. This initiative aims to ensure that more people can benefit from the platform’s tools without usage limits or costs. Importantly, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions will remain ad-free.

The introduction of ads comes with a clear commitment to preserving user trust. ChatGPT’s responses will remain driven by objective usefulness, not advertising. User data and conversations will be protected and never sold to advertisers. Users will also have control over their ad experience, with options to turn off personalization and clear ad-related data. ChatGPT has also recently introduced parental controls to enhance user safety, as reported here.

Key Principles for Advertising

Mission Alignment: Ads will support the goal of making AI accessible to all of humanity.
Answer Independence: Ads will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, which will remain optimized for user helpfulness.
Conversation Privacy: User conversations will stay private, and data will not be sold to advertisers.
Choice and Control: Users can turn off personalization and manage their ad data at any time.
Long-Term Value: Prioritizing user trust and experience over revenue, with no optimization for time spent.

The initial ad tests will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT responses when relevant to the conversation. Ads will be clearly labeled and separate from organic answers. Users will have the ability to learn more about ads or dismiss them. Ads will not appear in accounts for users under 18 or near sensitive topics like health or politics. This aligns with OpenAI’s broader initiatives, such as their partnership with Samsung SK on the Stargate AI project, which focuses on advancing AI technologies in various sectors.

ChatGPT envisions ads as a way to enhance user experiences, helping users discover new products and services. For small businesses and emerging brands, AI-powered ads could level the playing field, allowing them to create high-quality, engaging experiences.

The company plans to refine its ad approach based on user feedback, ensuring that ads align with user needs while maintaining trust. With a strong enterprise and subscription business, ChatGPT believes a diverse revenue model, including ads, will make AI more accessible to everyone.