Daybreak Sam Altman said ads were a "last resort." Welcome to last resort
Jan 21, 2026
OpenAI's latest move to integrate ads into ChatGPT has sparked a lively discussion. The company's financial struggles are revealed, with predictions of cash burn and desperation highlighted. Meanwhile, Google's Gemini aims for user trust by remaining ad-free. The hosts explore how ads will affect user experience, the risks of 'enshittification,' and whether advertising can truly save OpenAI. Altman's assurance that ads won't sway responses adds a layer of complexity to this unfolding narrative.
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Ads As Last Resort
- OpenAI reversed its stance and introduced ads to ChatGPT after years of saying ads were a "last resort."
- The move follows massive cash burn ($8B in 2025) and fears of running out of funds by 2027.
Trust At Stake
- Ads will strain user trust because ChatGPT's answers were trusted to be unbiased by sponsors.
- OpenAI now risks undermining that trust by introducing sponsored results tied to conversations.
Gemini's Ad-Free Bet
- Google’s Gemini is intentionally remaining ad-free to preserve trust and utility.
- That strategy could become a competitive advantage against ad-driven ChatGPT.