Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Jan 17, 2026, 7:00 AM
FILE – The OpenAI logo is displayed on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen with output from ChatGPT, March 21, 2023, in Boston. (Michael Dwyer, AP Photo, File)
(Michael Dwyer, AP Photo, File)
BY
OpenAI says it will soon start showing advertisements to ChatGPT users who aren’t paying for a premium version of the chatbot.
The artificial intelligence company said Friday it hasn’t yet rolled out ads but will start testing them in the coming weeks.
It’s the latest effort by the San Francisco-based company to make money from ChatGPT’s more than 800 million users, most of whom get it for free.
Though valued at $500 billion, the startup loses more money than it makes and has been looking for ways to turn a profit.
“Most importantly: ads will not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you,” said Fidji Simo, the company’s CEO of applications, in a social media post Friday.
OpenAI said the digital ads will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT’s answers “when there’s a relevant sponsored product or service based on your current conversation.”
The ads “will be clearly labeled and separated from the organic answer,” the company said.
Two of OpenAI’s rivals, Google and Meta, have dominated digital advertising for years and already incorporate ads into some of their AI features.
Originally founded as a nonprofit with a mission to safely build better-than-human AI, OpenAI last year reorganized its ownership structure and converted its business into a public benefit corporation. It said Friday that its pursuit of advertising will be “always in support” of its original mission to ensure its AI technology benefits humanity.
But introducing personalized ads starts OpenAI “down a risky path” previously taken by social media companies, said Miranda Bogen of the Center for Democracy and Technology.
“People are using chatbots for all sorts of reasons, including as companions and advisors,” said Bogen, director of CDT’s AI Governance Lab. “There’s a lot at stake when that tool tries to exploit users’ trust to hawk advertisers’ goods.”
OpenAI makes some money from paid subscriptions but needs more revenue to pay for its more than $1 trillion in financial obligations for the computer chips and data centers that power its AI services. The risk that OpenAI won’t make enough money to fulfill the expectations of backers like Oracle and Nvidia has amplified investor concerns about an AI bubble.
“It is clear to us that a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don’t want to pay, so we are hopeful a business model like this can work,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a post Friday on social platform X. He added that he likes the ads on Meta’s Instagram because they show him things he wouldn’t have found otherwise.
OpenAI claims it won’t use a user’s personal information or prompts to collect data for ads, but the question is “for how long,” said Paddy Harrington, an analyst at research group Forrester.
“Free services are never actually free and these public AI platforms need to generate revenue,” Harrington said. “Which leads to the adage: If the service is free, you’re the product.”
Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News
The executive orders, signed last Friday, direct federal agencies to ease government regulations seen as adding to the nation’s housing shortage.
21 hours ago
Sam McNeil and Lorne Cook, Associated Press
European leaders have demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a moratorium on strikes on water and energy infrastructure in the Middle East as they met in Brussels to grapple with rising energy prices caused by the war.
2 days ago
JON GAMBRELL, DAVID RISING, MIKE CORDER and NATALIE MELZER, Associated Press
Iran has intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy.
2 days ago
Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press
Federal Reserve officials expect the Iran war will worsen inflation this year while having little impact on growth, but they still expect to cut their key rate once in 2026. For now, Fed policymakers left short-term interest rates unchanged Wednesday for the second straight meeting at about 3.6%.
3 days ago
FATIMA HUSSEIN and REGINA GARCIA CANO, Associated Press
The Treasury Department is easing sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company, with some limits.
3 days ago
ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, Associated Press
Amazon says it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee.
4 days ago
Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]
Harper Clinic
OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]
The Roof Restaurant
SALT LAKE CITY – You’ve waited years for this, and the moment has finally arrived. The Roof — one of Utah’s oldest and most beloved dining institutions — is reopening after an extensive renovation, and it’s making a memorable comeback. The restaurant began as the rooftop dining room of the Hotel Utah in 1914, a […]
The Children’s Center Utah
Taking place on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in-person at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy and online, this full-day event is for all individuals working with or advocating for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.
The Roof Restaurant
After years of anticipation, The Roof Restaurant—the city’s crown jewel of fine dining—has finally returned.
Nightmare on 13th
Only one haunted house has stood the test of time, terrified more than a million guests, and landed on national “best of” lists year after year: Nightmare on 13th.
