OpenAI is starting to test ads in its ChatGPT service, specifically affecting users on the free and "Go" tiers. The ads will be clearly labeled and separate from the chatbot's responses. They will be tailored based on users' conversation topics and previous interactions. Importantly, OpenAI asserts that these ads will not affect the responses ChatGPT provides, and users can opt out of personalized ads. The introduction of ads follows weeks of speculation, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously stating that the company would never accept payment to alter ChatGPT's answers. OpenAI plans to implement measures to prevent scams and harmful ads, and it will not show ads to users under 18. The Go tier, launched in January for $8 a month, offers more features like file uploads and image creation compared to the free tier. In the competitive landscape, Google is considering ads for its Gemini AI platform by 2026, although its CEO has downplayed immediate plans. Anthropic, another AI competitor, has publicly rejected the idea of ads in its Claude chatbot, claiming it undermines their goal of being a helpful assistant. This has sparked a back-and-forth, with Altman criticizing Anthropic's stance as disingenuous, emphasizing OpenAI's commitment to providing free AI access through ad revenue.