Category: Uncategorized

Jan 17, 2026Ravie LakshmananArtificial Intelligence / Data Privacy

OpenAI on Friday said it would start showing ads in ChatGPT to logged-in adult U.S. users in both the free and ChatGPT Go tiers in the coming weeks, as the artificial intelligence (AI) company expanded access to its low-cost subscription globally.

“You need to know that your data and conversations are protected and never sold to advertisers,” OpenAI said. “And we need to keep a high bar and give you control over your experience, so you see truly relevant, high-quality ads—and can turn off personalization if you want.”

The company has positioned advertising as a way to ensure that the benefits of artificial general intelligence – a term used to describe a stage in machine learning when an AI system can reach or surpass human-level intelligence – can be made more accessible to the masses. In addition, it can be “transformative” for small businesses and emerging brands trying to compete, it added.

It also emphasized that ads do not influence responses from the chatbot, user data and conversations are kept private from advertisers, and that users are in control of the ad experience. The ads will be clearly labeled and will show up at the bottom of a user’s conversation.

OpenAI did not detail exactly what data it will collect on users to serve relevant ads. Users will be able to learn more about why they are seeing specific ads, or dismiss them and submit feedback. Users on the more expensive Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers will not see ads.

“To start, we plan to test ads at the bottom of answers in ChatGPT when there’s a relevant sponsored product or service based on your current conversation,” it said. “During our test, we will not show ads in accounts where the user tells us or we predict that they are under 18, and ads are not eligible to appear near sensitive or regulated topics like health, mental health, or politics.”

In a post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that the company will not “accept money” to influence the responses ChatGPT serves to the users. “It is clear to us that a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don’t want to pay, so we are hopeful a business model like this can work,” Altman added.

The development marks a major departure for the company that had so far primarily relied on subscriptions. At an event at Harvard University in May 2024, Altman described ads “as like a last resort for us for a business model,” characterizing “ads plus AI is sort of uniquely unsettling.”

Altman’s softened stance is indicative of how OpenAI views advertising as a way to unlock a new revenue stream in order to sustain the costly endeavor. ChatGPT had 800 million weekly active users as of early October 2025.

The mayor of Yokohama has apologised for insulting colleagues after an official publicly accused him of making offensive remarks.

At a news conference, the Japanese city’s human resource chief, Jun Kubota, alleged that Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka had used terms such as “idiot” and “human scum” to disparage staff.

It is highly unusual in Japan for a serving city official to openly accuse a sitting mayor and demand an apology.

Yamanaka initially denied the allegations, but later admitted to some of them. “I want to frankly apologise for placing a psychological burden on the personnel director,” he said.

At a news conference on Thursday, Kubota accused Mayor Yamanaka of repeatedly making remarks towards officials – including himself – that could amount to workplace harassment.

The mayor was accused of calling officials “useless”, “silly” and “low-spec”, as well as making comments about colleagues’ appearance and likening them to animals.

He is also accused of threatening Kubota, saying he would have to “commit seppuku” – a Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment – if he failed to secure an international conference bid.

Kubota demanded an apology from Yamanaka and called for an investigation.

Yamanaka initially published a statement on his personal website, denying the allegations.

But on Friday, he publicly acknowledged some remarks – such as using words like “idiot” and “human scum” – and apologised.

“I am reflecting on this. I will be more careful with my words and behaviour,” Yamanaka said.

He said those comments were made during discussions over personnel evaluations.

However, the mayor denied other accusations, including insulting colleagues’ appearance.

Yamanaka said an investigation was being considered under the supervision of the deputy mayor, adding that he would co-operate “sincerely” if an investigation takes place.

In response, Kubota insisted Yamanaka had made the comments he has not admitted to, saying: “The mayor doesn’t understand anything. I cannot accept that as an apology. I want him to change.”

New York City police are searching for multiple suspects after a masked group stole Pokémon merchandise at a Manhattan store on Wednesday, 14 January.

Security footage shows three people entered the Poké Court store, stole Pokémon merchandise, smashed glass displays, and appeared to point a weapon at customers and staff.

The store’s owner told NBC New York that approximately $100,000 (£74,7300) worth of stock was stolen.

Police say no one was injured and no arrests have been made.