OpenAI employees are discussing ways for AI models to prioritize sponsored information in ChatGPT answers, according to The Information sources. Here’s what they learned:
- OpenAI does not plan to inject advertising logistic into the main model powering ChatGPT.
- Instead it plans to create new models specifically built to evaluate whether a conversation is relevant for advertising and then pull the most relevant ads into ChatGPT responses.
- For example, an ad sponsored by Wrangler could appear when someone is searching for recommendations for best travel pants.
- A source told The Information that OpenAI employees have been creating mockups for different ways that ads could appear within the AI answers.
- For example, some mockups show sponsored information appearing in a sidebar to the main ChatGPT response window, while others include them with the main answer alongside a disclosure saying that it includes sponsored results.
- Ads could appear right away or show up in a secondary step after a user has expressed interest in finding more information about a product or service.
A few weeks ago I reported that code was found in a beta version of ChatGPT’s Android app that included references to an ads feature. I also shared a brief timeline of Sam Altman’s on-again, off-again feelings towards bringing ads to ChatGPT.
A week later, OpenAI denied reports that it rolled out ads on ChatGPT Plus after users spotted recommendations for the Target shopping app appearing in answers, but then later danced around the fact that brand recommendations surfacing in AI answers could feel like ads.
Why the reluctance to talk openly about advertising?
It’s no secret that OpenAI desperately needs to monetize its free userbase in order to drive enough revenue to offset its crazy expenditures, and that advertising is the most likely way to do so. Code that references advertising has been spotted in their apps, Sam Altman has noticeably changed his position about advertising, users are starting to see advertising being tested, and now OpenAI staffers are straight up admitting to journalists that they’re working on mockups to display ads in results.
With all that out there, why not be more forthcoming about the fact that ads are coming to ChatGPT and involve users and the public in the process along the way? Otherwise what’s the move later?
At this point, Internet users have come to accept the fact that advertising pays for the free services they enjoy. No need to add any spin to it. Involving users in the development process could soften the blow when ads inevitably surface in ChatGPT answers, as well as provide OpenAI with ongoing public feedback along the way, which could ultimately improve the final product.
Then again, maybe I expect too much transparency from a company with the word “Open” in their name.
