"Many users experience AI chats as closer to therapy than search, so ads can feel acceptable in transactional moments but aggressive in reflective or emotional ones. Imagine your therapist taking a break from listening to sell you a supplement."
"Using data generated from LLM queries, AI responses will mix real information with sponsored content, and the line between "info" and "ad" may be blurred. The scale of LLM advertising will be unprecedented because it fundamentally alters the ad business."
"Consumers need to remain skeptical of "free" AI that demands unlimited attention. After all, "free" AI isn't actually free; it is paid with our attention and data."
Major AI companies including OpenAI and Meta are introducing advertising into their AI platforms, fundamentally changing how consumers interact with these tools. OpenAI has added ads to ChatGPT, while Meta has enabled targeted advertising in its AI chatbots without allowing users to opt out. This shift raises concerns because AI tools often serve personal, reflective, or emotional functions similar to therapy, making advertisements feel intrusive in these contexts. The advertising model differs significantly from traditional digital advertising by using conversational context for intent-driven targeting rather than keywords or demographics. Users experience tension between accepting ads as necessary and resenting their presence in intimate spaces. The blending of real information with sponsored content creates confusion about what constitutes genuine information versus advertising.
Read at Fortune
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