AI Trends
OpenAI announced that ChatGPT will begin testing ads in the United States, which is a noteworthy shift for a platform many users have come to experience as utility-driven and free from traditional advertising influence.
According to OpenAI, the goal is to expand access while maintaining trust and prioritizing user experience. The company said ads will be thoughtfully introduced and distinguished from organic responses. Time will tell whether that balance holds, and whether user trust remains the priority as monetization becomes part of the model.
Why It Matters
There’s an unavoidable tension with ads since they are, by definition, about revenue. ChatGPT’s move into advertising is another reminder that no digital platform is static. Tools we rely on today can and do evolve in response to business realities.
For ministries and mission-driven organizations, this reinforces an important lesson: platforms may promise neutrality, reach, or user-first design, but over time, incentives tend to shift. Visibility becomes more controlled, access becomes more conditional, and the rules of engagement change.
While it doesn’t mean platforms are untrustworthy, it does indicate they should be approached with discernment rather than dependence.
Next Steps
As new advertising models emerge, it’s worth stepping back and asking a few strategic questions:
- How much of our visibility depends on systems we don’t control?
- What assumptions are we making about “free” reach?
- Where are we investing in channels that offer consistency, trust, and long-term stability?
Digital tools can be incredibly powerful. But wisdom comes from understanding what drives them and building strategies that are flexible enough to adapt when priorities shift.
If you’re navigating digital strategy shifts, we’d love to help you think it through.
Jonathan Andrews
Director of Media | jonathan@eaglecom.ca