OpenAI is exploring the introduction of an advertisement model as it transitions to a for-profit structure. CFO Sarah Friar indicated that the company is looking for ways to increase revenue, although she later clarified that there are no active plans to implement ads at this time.
Currently, OpenAI generates revenue primarily through its ChatGPT Plus subscription service and ChatGPT APIs. Despite projections of $3.7 billion in revenue for 2024, the company faces a significant cash burn of around $5 billion this year due to high operational costs.
As part of its restructuring, OpenAI is also venturing into the online search market with an AI-powered search engine aimed at competing with Google. The recruitment of advertising experts from major tech firms suggests a potential future for ads on its platforms.
While ads can provide a revenue boost and offer users tailored products, concerns about user privacy and the overall experience remain significant. The integration of advertisements could lead to ethical debates, particularly as users are accustomed to ad-free interactions with OpenAI's products.