OpenAI ChatGPT Ad Integration

What happened

OpenAI introduced advertising into its ChatGPT platform, altering the operational model from a purely subscription or usage-based service to one that now incorporates ad-supported content. This change is driven by a need for new revenue streams to fund expansion and address competitive pressures from rivals. The integration modifies the user experience by presenting commercial messages within the conversational interface.

Why it matters

The integration of advertising into ChatGPT introduces new data privacy and compliance obligations for organisations utilising the platform. This increases the oversight burden for legal and compliance teams regarding user data handling and ad content moderation. Procurement and IT security functions face heightened due diligence requirements concerning third-party ad network dependencies and potential data exposure, creating a visibility gap in data flow.