I think the problem is a little more profound than ads alone though. OpenAI is showing to be a bit of a predatory organization, like Google, Facebook and TikTok before them (but we only worry about it when it's Chinese, lol). Interacting with their platform is a vote to be abused in any way they legally can, to improve their bottom line at diminishing benefit to the customer over time. For most people this isn't a problem until it's too late, but it's always good to recognize potential issues and ask yourself "what am I doing?"

This critical thinking is what the hype+fomo has successfully killed, and when the masses will fully turn against chatbots, and AI in general, because of the corporate players that have exploited them, Sam will be ultra rich and find new ways to exploit the masses, just like Zuck does. However, this happening will probably be good for the tech.

That's what I said when Twitter did the paid thing: "cool, from user to customer".

But I haven't seen that shift. Customers still behave like they are the product, and customer service is still abhorrent. (Oh and people actually lose their checkmark?!? whut?)

Yes. And if X gets away with it, so will OpenAI, I'm sure.