ChatGPT users are frustrated by what seem to be advertisements in their discussions, though OpenAI refutes the notion that these messages constitute ads. Even subscribers who pay $200 monthly for a Pro plan have reported encountering app or store recommendations that resemble ads. For example, ChatGPT suggested the Peloton app in a conversation unrelated to the brand.

An OpenAI staff member promptly responded to the viral tweet. “Thank you for bringing this up. This is not an advertisement (there’s no financial component),” noted Daniel McAuley from OpenAI’s data team. “It’s merely a suggestion to download Peloton’s app. However, the lack of relevance results in a poor/confusing experience. We are refining the suggestions and user experience, aiming to ensure they are excellent.”

Users on Reddit and other forums have voiced similar concerns about these “app suggestions” that aren’t technically advertisements.

Although these suggestions might not be classified as ads, there have been signals that ChatGPT may soon incorporate straightforward advertisements. Nonetheless, when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a “code red” for the company, he indicated this would imply postponing the ad introduction.

As AI firms with substantial valuations and high spending rates strive to generate revenue, it appears that the era of an ad-free chatbot could be coming to a close.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming it violated Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.