ChatGPT's maker, OpenAI, recently confirmed that ads were coming to the generative-AI chatbot. Now, curiously enough, it seems that Google, the maker of Gemini (a big ChatGPT rival), believes that keeping the chatbot ad-free is the better approach for the moment.
Google DeepMind CEO claims that Google has no plans for ads in Gemini just yet
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis claimed in a recent interview that the company has no plans to incorporate ads into its generative AI chatbot Gemini just yet. Apparently, the statement was made during a conversation at the World Economic Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland.
This is actually the second time that Google has commented on its lack of desire to incorporate ads into Gemini for the moment. Back in December 2025, Dan Taylor (Google's VP of Global Ads) published a post highlighting that the company doesn't currently have plans to include ads in Gemini.
Back then, the statement came as a response to an article claiming that Google had plans for ads in the AI chatbot.
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Image Credit - Google
Google DeepMind's CEO also commented on OpenAI's decision to offer ads to users in ChatGPT. Hassabis claims that he finds it interesting that the company is doing that 'so early'. With this comment, the exec once again reiterated that users shouldn't worry about ads in Gemini just yet, as well as put the spotlight on OpenAI for even doing it.
Of course, that comment doesn't mean there won't be any ads in Gemini ever. Potentially, ads may come to the chatbot, but just at a later date.
Google seems focused on offering the best experience with Gemini right now
Google keeps updating its Gemini chatbot, clearly with the focus on obliterating the competition. The company has previously said it's focused on the "core experience" with the chatbot at the moment. It also recently added Nano Banana Pro to Gemini.
Do you think AI chatbots should already have ads?
Yes, ads are fine for free tiers
50%
No ads, even for free users
50%
Only if there’s a cheap ad-free option
0%
I don’t care as long as the chatbot works well
0%
Hassabis also claimed that the focus is on refining the assistant so you can trust it. He claims that Google wants to know for certain that the things Gemini recommends are useful to users and unbiased. Hence, adding ads to the mixture may be tricky. Hassabis also claims that there is a bad way to add ads.
Keep in mind that Google has not made a statement in which it says Gemini would never have ads. However, the company seems to maintain that, for one, this isn't happening anytime soon.
Meanwhile, OpenAI confirmed that ads were coming to the free tier of ChatGPT, as well as to its newly introduced, cheaper plan, ChatGPT Go. The company claims that it will begin testing ads in the U.S. soon (it doesn't say exactly when), and that these ads will be placed at the bottom of answers when specific products could be recommended based on your conversation.
Ads in generative AI chatbots
I'm not entirely against the idea of adding ads to free tiers. I actually think that for a company to earn money from a service they're offering, ads are a good way to do that with people who don't want to pay for a subscription.
I understand Google's position, though. Potentially, adding ads when the chatbot is still being developed and refined may deteriorate the experience.
Nevertheless, for me, it's simple. In general, for anything on the internet, be it chatbots or social media platforms. If I don't want ads (which I don't, personally), I have two choices: pay for a subscription or leave the platform. Some platforms I've left, because I don't feel like paying them anything, while others, if they offer benefits to me apart from an ad-free service, I'm currently paying for.
When it comes to me, it's all about what the company is offering and what the price for a subscription is, and whether I find the price justifiable.
Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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