DeepMind co‑founder Demis Hassabis told reporters at Davos that he is surprised OpenAI has already begun testing advertisements within its chatbot. He said Google is considering the idea “very carefully” but feels no pressure to make a quick decision. Hassabis highlighted the tension between monetizing a free AI service and preserving user trust, noting that ads work differently in search than in a conversational assistant. He also pointed to past consumer backlash against ad‑like features in AI products, and said Google will monitor user response before taking any action. Read more →

The head of Instagram cautions that the platform faces a growing risk of losing trust as AI-generated media becomes indistinguishable from real photos and videos. Deepfakes and advanced generative tools are making authenticity a scarce commodity, prompting creators to lean into raw, imperfect content as a signal of truth. Instagram must evolve quickly to identify AI‑generated material, provide credibility signals, and support creators who maintain genuine, transparent voices. The shift challenges traditional polished aesthetics and forces the platform to rethink how it surfaces and ranks content. Read more →

OpenAI’s head of ChatGPT, Nick Turley, clarified that the images circulating of in‑app advertisements are not genuine and that no live ad tests are underway. The company’s chief research officer, Mark Chen, added that any content resembling ads will be handled with caution, and the suggestion feature has been disabled while precision improves. OpenAI also indicated it is exploring user controls to reduce or eliminate such prompts. Executives stressed that any future advertising will be introduced thoughtfully to preserve user trust in ChatGPT. Read more →

OpenAI reiterated that no advertisements are currently live in its ChatGPT product, after users complained about promotional messages that resembled ads for brands such as Peloton and Target. The company explained that it was only testing how to showcase third‑party apps built on its platform, without any financial component. Executives, including chief research officer Mark Chen and head of product Nick Turley, acknowledged the confusion, apologized for the missteps, and said the suggestion feature has been turned off while precision improvements are made. The episode coincided with reports that a memo from CEO Sam Altman labeled the situation a “code red,” shifting focus back to core product quality and pausing other initiatives, including advertising plans tied to new leadership under former Instacart executive Fidji Sumo. Read more →