OpenAI has projected that at least 220 million ChatGPT users will opt for paid subscriptions by 2030, reflecting the growing trend of monetisation in artificial intelligence.
- OpenAI has projected that at least 220 million ChatGPT users will opt for paid subscriptions by 2030, reflecting the growing trend of monetisation in artificial intelligence.
Chatgpt: Significant Growth in User Base
The Information reported on Tuesday that OpenAI expects 8.5 per cent of the anticipated 2.6 billion weekly users to become subscribers, positioning ChatGPT as one of the largest subscription services globally.
Current Subscription Figures
As of July, approximately 35 million users, or about 5 per cent of the active user base, were paying for the “Plus” or “Pro” plans priced at $20 and $200 monthly, respectively. This suggests a robust initial interest in paid features.
Revenue Projections Amidst Losses
OpenAI is projected to reach an annualised revenue run rate of around $20 billion by the end of this year. However, this growth comes with mounting losses, which sources indicate are largely tied to hefty research and development costs associated with advancing AI technologies and maintaining ChatGPT.
New Revenue Streams in Development
OpenAI is also exploring new avenues for revenue generation. A report from September indicated that the company generated about $4.3 billion in revenue during the first half of 2025, marking a 16 per cent increase from the previous year. However, it also incurred losses of $2.5 billion due to significant investment in R&D.
Innovative Features for Monetisation
In a bid to diversify its income, OpenAI expects around 20 per cent of its revenue to stem from new products, including shopping and advertising-driven features. Recently, the company introduced a personal shopping assistant for ChatGPT, which could ultimately lead to monetisation through advertisements or commission-based sales.
