OpenAI just added ads to ChatGPT—even if you pay for the new tier

OpenAI is changing how ChatGPT works, with the significant introduction of ChatGPT ads. According to a report by CNN, the company is introducing advertising to the free version of its chatbot and launching a new "Go" subscription tier that costs $8 (about Dhs 29) per month.

While the ads are currently being tested with logged-in users in the US, this marks a significant shift for the platform that has largely remained ad-free since launch. The move comes as competition intensifies, with rivals like Google Gemini aggressively expanding their feature sets.

Ads in your AI

For the first time, ChatGPT ads will start showing sponsored content. The ads will appear at the bottom of the chatbot's answers and will be clearly labelled. OpenAI states that these ads will be relevant to your conversation—for example, asking for travel advice might trigger an ad for a hotel booking site.

Crucially, the company insists that advertisers will not influence the actual answers ChatGPT provides. They also confirmed that ads will not appear in conversations about sensitive topics like health, politics, or mental health.

This follows a similar trend in the industry, where platforms seek sustainable revenue models. We recently saw Replit launch new tools as its valuation soared, highlighting the immense cost of maintaining AI infrastructure.

The new 'Go' subscription

OpenAI is also bridging the gap between the free version and the Dhs 75 ($20) Plus tier. The new "Go" subscription costs $8 per month and offers upgraded capabilities over the free version.

What you get with ChatGPT Go:

• Longer memory for conversations
• More image creation opportunities
• Access to better models than the free tier
• Note: This tier still includes ads

It is an interesting choice to include ads in a paid product. Usually, paying a subscription fee removes advertising—as seen in services like YouTube Premium or Netflix's standard tiers. OpenAI seems to be positioning "Go" as a utility upgrade rather than a premium experience.

Privacy and data concerns

With the introduction of ChatGPT ads comes the question of data privacy. OpenAI has stated it will not sell user data or conversations to advertisers. Users will also have the option to turn off ad personalisation in their settings.

Trust is a major factor here. Just as we saw with TikTok's safety report, tech companies are under increasing pressure to prove they handle user data responsibly. OpenAI's policy excludes ad targeting for users under 18, using AI to estimate user age based on conversation patterns.

Why is this happening now?

Running AI models is incredibly expensive. OpenAI has reportedly committed $1.4 trillion to AI infrastructure over the next eight years. While the company expects to hit $20 billion in revenue by the end of 2025, the costs of computing power and energy are astronomical.

Diversifying income through ChatGPT ads and a lower-tier subscription helps fund these developments without relying solely on the $20/month power users.

ChatGPT pricing and availability in UAE

Currently, the rollout of ChatGPT ads and the "Go" subscription are testing in the US. However, digital products like this typically expand globally quickly. Here is how the pricing tiers break down, with estimated UAE pricing for the new tier:

• ChatGPT Free: Dhs 0 (Includes ads)
• ChatGPT Go: Approx Dhs 29 (Includes ads)
• ChatGPT Plus: Dhs 75 (No ads)
• ChatGPT Pro: Dhs 735 (No ads)

We expect the "Go" tier to launch in the UAE later this year, likely priced at Dhs 29.99 or Dhs 32.99 to match local currency psychology.

Comparison of ChatGPT tiers

Here is how the new lineup compares if you are deciding which one to get:

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