OpenAI is exploring new ways to generate revenue and has not ruled out the possibility of introducing ads into ChatGPT. In an interview with The Verge, ChatGPT head Nick Turley said the company is open to the idea but emphasized the need to be “very thoughtful and tasteful” if it moves forward. He said ChatGPT may not be suitable for advertising because it must closely align with user goals, but other OpenAI products in the future could support different business models.
Turley said he remains confident in the subscription-based approach, which has driven rapid revenue growth. OpenAI expects to generate $12.7 billion in revenue this year, more than triple the $3.7 billion it made in 2024, according to Bloomberg. Despite this, the company still operates at a loss and does not expect to achieve positive cash flow before 2029.
ChatGPT recently surpassed 700 million total users, and as of April, the platform had 20 million paid subscribers. Turley said most users remain on the free tier, but added that this user base creates an opportunity to convert them to premium services.
OpenAI is also working on new monetization features, including product recommendations through ChatGPT. Turley said the company is testing a system called “Commerce in ChatGPT,” which could allow OpenAI to earn a cut from purchases. He said OpenAI does not plan to allow affiliate revenue to influence recommendations and wants the product selection process to remain independent.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, has expressed concerns about mixing ads with AI. During a Harvard Business School event last year, he said the idea made him “a little uneasy” and should only be used as a last resort. However, in a podcast episode this June, Altman said he is “not entirely opposed” to ads if implemented responsibly.
Turley said OpenAI is also considering future product directions that go beyond the current chatbot format. He said ChatGPT could evolve into a more deeply integrated tool for productivity and business use, where different monetization strategies might apply.
In related news, an insider dismissed the August launch hype around DeepSeek-R2 as pressure grows on its AI goals, while Huawei’s new AI UCM tech is said to help China counter chip sanctions and improve performance.
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