Marketing Professor’s Prediction
A seasoned marketing professor recently forecasted that advertisements in chatbots are undoubtedly on the horizon. The emergence of AI-powered chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Alphabet Inc’s Google Gemini may soon mirror the evolution of programmatic advertising, according to Chuck Byers, a respected academic at the University of Santa Carla.
Altman’s Aversion to Ads
In contrast to the professor’s foresight, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seems to harbor a deep-seated distaste for advertisements. Despite acknowledging the role of internet advertising in kickstarting the industry, Altman views the sector as transient and ephemeral. “I kind of hate ads just as an aesthetic choice,” expressed Altman during a thought-provoking podcast interview with Lex Fridman.
OpenAI’s Stand Against Ads
Altman’s sentiments are reflected in OpenAI’s stance on the matter, exemplified by their refusal to incorporate ads into ChatGPT. When questioned about the sustainability of OpenAI’s business model sans ads, Altman confidently asserted, “If the question is do I think we can have a great business that pays for our compute needs without ads, that, I think the answer is yes.”
Industry Insights
Currently, chatbot users enjoy an ad-free experience. However, industry giants like Google and Microsoft Corporation are exploring avenues to integrate AI into their advertising strategies, much to the dismay of some users. While Google has refrained from inserting ads into their chatbots, Microsoft’s Copilot occasionally incorporates ads into conversation footnotes, as reported by Inc.
OpenAI’s Firm Stance
Contrary to industry trends, OpenAI remains resolute in its decision to keep ChatGPT ad-free. A year ago, the company emphasized its commitment by stating, “No plans to put ads in ChatGPT.”
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