Last Week in AI #333 - ChatGPT Ads, Zhipu+Huawei, Drama at Thinking Machines

OpenAI to test ads in ChatGPT as it burns through billions, Sequoia to invest in Anthropic, Zhipu AI breaks US chip reliance, The Drama at Thinking Machines Is Riveting Silicon Valley

Jan 23, 2026

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OpenAI to test ads in ChatGPT as it burns through billions

ChatGPT to begin testing ads as generative AI competition heats up

Mobile phone screen showing a ChatGPT response with simple, authentic Mexican dinner party recipes, followed by a clearly labeled sponsored product recommendation from Harvest Groceries for a hot sauce item, displayed against a soft blue gradient background.

OpenAI will begin testing labeled banner ads in ChatGPT for logged‑in users on the free tier and the $8/month ChatGPT Go plan, rolling out in the U.S. and other markets in the coming weeks. Ads will appear as blocked-off se…

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