According to The Express Tribune, artificial intelligence company OpenAI has extended advertising on ChatGPT to Pakistan and 25 more countries. The expansion means ChatGPT users in 89 markets worldwide can now see ads.
Who will see the ads?
OpenAI says ads will appear only on ChatGPT's Free and Go plans, while Plus, Pro and Enterprise subscribers will stay ad-free. That means the large number of Pakistanis who use ChatGPT for free will now see advertising alongside their answers.
A new channel for Pakistani businesses
Advertisers in the new markets can buy ChatGPT ads through technology partners or run them themselves on the company's Ads Manager platform. Alongside Pakistan, the list includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nigeria, South Africa, Serbia and Ukraine, plus 14 Latin American countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
Chasing revenue
The report says OpenAI began testing ads in the United States earlier this year and more than 100,000 advertisers have since run campaigns. In August the company said its ad business had reached a $1 billion annualised revenue run rate. Growing revenue ahead of a possible IPO is seen as the main driver of the expansion.