OpenAI has launched its self-service advertising platform, Ads Manager, marking a significant shift in its business strategy. The platform, which allows advertisers to place ads on ChatGPT, aims to generate $2.5 billion in ad revenue by 2026 and scale to $100 billion by 2030. This move comes as OpenAI seeks to address financial challenges, including a projected $207 billion funding gap by 2030, and to capitalize on its 900 million user base. The Ads Manager platform, currently in testing, targets free users of ChatGPT, who make up 94% of its user base. Despite generating over $100 million in annualized revenue during a six-week pilot, the strategy faces challenges. Advertisers typically seek paying users, who are more likely to be decision-makers in high-value sectors. OpenAI's approach contrasts with Anthropic, which has opted not to display ads, instead focusing on enterprise clients and maintaining a trust premium. OpenAI's entry into advertising highlights the AI industry's shift from free expansion to cost recovery. However, the reliance on a user base with low commercial intent poses risks, as advertisers may eventually seek more effective platforms. The success of this strategy will depend on balancing user experience with advertiser demands.