OpenAI explores ads, commerce to monetize ChatGPT growth

OpenAI is considering adding ads to ChatGPT as part of its efforts to increase revenue, according to ChatGPT head Nick Turley.

Turley said the company has not ruled out ads but would approach the decision carefully if it moves forward.

OpenAI, which develops the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, is also exploring revenue from taking a cut of product purchases recommended through its platform, a project referred to internally as “Commerce in ChatGPT.”

Turley said the company aims to keep product recommendations independent from affiliate revenue.

OpenAI is projected to reach US$12.7 billion in revenue in 2025, up from US$3.7 billion in 2024, according to Bloomberg.

Currently, ChatGPT has 700 million users and 20 million paid subscribers as of April.

CEO Sam Altman has previously shared reservations about integrating ads, describing it as a “last resort,” but more recently has said he is “not totally against it.”

🔗 Source: The Verge

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ AI companies face massive revenue growth alongside persistent profitability challenges

OpenAI’s revenue trajectory mirrors the broader AI industry pattern of explosive growth coupled with significant cash burn.

The company expects to generate $12.7 billion in revenue this year, more than triple its $3.7 billion from 2024, yet still won’t reach cash-flow positive status until 2029.

This reflects the industry-wide reality where leading AI companies saw combined revenues grow significantly from 2023 to 2024, with OpenAI and Anthropic each reporting substantial growth in the second half of 20241.

Despite these impressive revenue figures, the fundamental challenge remains: most AI companies are still burning more cash than they generate due to massive infrastructure and development costs.

OpenAI’s 700 million total users with only 20 million paid subscribers illustrates the monetization gap that’s driving companies to explore new revenue streams like advertising.