Rumors surrounding OpenAI preparing to stuff ads into ChatGPT are hitting a fever pitch.

Last week, engineer Tibor Blaho made headlines after discovering references to an “‘ads feature’ with ‘bazaar content,’ ‘search ad’ and ‘search ads carousel'” hidden inside the code of ChatGPT’s Android app.

Now, users are starting to notice strange inclusions at the end of the chatbot’s output as well, encouraging users to download the apps of sometimes-prominent brands. The sightings have sparked a heated debate over whether OpenAI has already begun adding advertising to its number one money maker.

The stakes are considerable for OpenAI, which is burning through billions of dollars every quarter — and is planning to spend well over $1 trillion before the end of this decade. Finding new sources of

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