OpenAI is expanding its advertising program on ChatGPT to include all free and low-cost users, according to a report by The Information. The move comes as the company's initial advertising pilot has generated industry interest, though some insiders have expressed frustration with the slow rollout pace.

The artificial intelligence company also plans to nearly double its workforce this year, according to a Financial Times report. The hiring expansion reflects OpenAI's growth ambitions as it seeks to capitalize on the success of ChatGPT and maintain its position in the competitive AI market.

OpenAI's advertising efforts represent part of a broader monetization strategy that has included ventures into e-commerce, though the company's initial online shopping initiatives faced challenges. The company is now preparing for additional waves of product development in the shopping space.

Meanwhile, the broader AI industry is experiencing varied adoption patterns. At numerous companies, employees are competing on internal leaderboards to demonstrate their AI usage, leading to substantial bills as organizations integrate these tools into their workflows. However, concerns are emerging about AI models potentially becoming commoditized as competition intensifies.

The AI sector's infrastructure demands continue to grow, with SoftBank announcing plans for a large-scale artificial intelligence data center in Ohio that will be powered by gas plants. Separately, new applications of AI technology are emerging in unexpected areas, including gig work platforms where workers are being paid to perform tasks that help train AI systems.

In educational settings, the proliferation of AI tools is raising questions about their impact on student learning, with some educators expressing concern that artificial intelligence may be undermining students' development of critical thinking skills.