The projections indicate rapid growth, with ad revenue expected to hit $11 billion in 2027, $25 billion in 2028, and $53 billion by 2029, assuming OpenAI’s products reach 2.75 billion weekly users by 2030. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the Axios report.
In January, OpenAI announced plans to introduce ads to ChatGPT for some U.S. users, aiming to boost revenue to offset rising costs associated with AI development. The ad tests targeted free-tier users and those on the lower-priced Go subscription plan.
A spokesperson said that the U.S. pilot generated over $100 million in annualized revenue within six weeks of launch and had expanded to more than 600 advertisers.
OpenAI’s move positions the company to compete with major players in the digital advertising market, including Alphabet’s Google and Meta, whose 2025 ad revenues were $294.69 billion and $196.18 billion, respectively.
While some analysts have cautioned that introducing ads could alienate users and affect trust, OpenAI reported no measurable impact on consumer trust metrics and observed low rates of ad dismissal.
The company’s ambitious advertising strategy underscores its effort to secure a share of the global ad market while funding ongoing AI research and product development.