By Nathan Sanders
Publication Date: 2026-01-14 13:29:00
A year and a half ago, it was plausible that artificial intelligence could take a different path than social media. At that time, the development of AI had not yet become consolidated among a small number of large technology companies. It also failed to take advantage of consumer attention, user monitoring, and advertising delivery.
Unfortunately, the AI industry is now taking a social media approach and aiming to monetize consumer attention. When OpenAI launched its ChatGPT search feature in late 2024 and its ChatGPT Atlas browser in October 2025, it launched a race to collect online behavioral data to drive advertising. It’s part of a years-long about-face by OpenAI, whose CEO Sam Altman once called the combination of advertising and AI “troubling” and now promises that advertising can be used in AI apps while maintaining trust. The rampant speculation among OpenAI users who believe they are seeing paid placements in ChatGPT answers suggests they are unconvinced.
In 2024, the AI search company will…
