OpenAI has announced that it will soon begin charging for ChatGPT, its popular AI-powered chatbot that can write essays, emails, poems, and even computer code.
OpenAI announced on its official Discord server that it is “beginning to think about how to monetize ChatGPT” as one of the ways to “ensure [the tool’s] long-term viability.”
According to a LinkedIn post on Saturday by Linas Beliūnas, a financial technology specialist, the premium edition known as ChatGPT Professional will offer additional features such as less unpredictable availability, faster response times, and priority access for a $42 monthly membership.
Earlier this month, OpenAI sent out a waitlist for ChatGPT Professional, asking potential users not only what they use ChatGPT for the most, but also how much money they would be willing to pay for the product.
“If you are selected, we’ll reach out to you to set up a payment process and a pilot,” the waitlist read. “Please keep in mind that this is an early experimental program that is subject to change, and we are not making paid pro access generally available at this time.”
The enhanced but experimental features of ChatGPT, as well as the cost of the plan, are subject to change based on the user’s individual needs and the agreements made with OpenAI.
However, it is claimed that it is not available to the general public because it is based on selection; however, the company provided a waitlist link on its Discord server.
The sources for this piece include an article in InterestingEngineering.