TLDRs:
- OpenAI is recruiting an executive to oversee ads and monetization for ChatGPT, signaling expansion plans.
- Fidji Simo is leading OpenAI’s discussions with candidates, focusing on ad and subscription growth.
- OpenAI recently hired former xAI CFO Mike Liberatore to manage compute spending amid Musk-Altman tensions.
- The company continues to expand its commercial initiatives while maintaining oversight from its nonprofit parent.
OpenAI is actively seeking a top-level executive to lead advertising and monetization efforts for its flagship AI chatbot, ChatGPT.
Sources familiar with the discussions say that the new role will supervise all revenue-generating initiatives, from advertising campaigns to subscription programs.
Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications who joined the company in August after leaving Instacart, is personally involved in the hiring process.
Simo has reportedly held discussions with several potential candidates, including former colleagues from Facebook. The chosen executive would report directly to Simo, who oversees most of OpenAI’s operational teams outside research, infrastructure, consumer hardware, and safety.
Monetization Push for ChatGPT
The move reflects OpenAI’s ongoing focus on scaling commercial operations beyond its core AI research. While ChatGPT has become a household name for conversational AI, the company has relied primarily on subscription revenue through ChatGPT Plus.
The addition of a dedicated advertising and monetization chief suggests OpenAI is preparing to diversify income streams, potentially introducing ad-supported models or new partnership strategies.
“This search indicates OpenAI’s commitment to accelerating revenue initiatives while maintaining leadership oversight from Simo,” said an industry insider familiar with the process.
The discussions are ongoing, and no formal hire has yet been announced.
Strategic Finance Moves Amid Rivalry
OpenAI’s monetization efforts coincide with other significant executive hires and financial decisions. Last week, the company brought on Mike Liberatore, former CFO of Elon Musk’s xAI, to manage its sprawling infrastructure and compute costs.
Liberatore, who had a brief but high-profile tenure at xAI, previously arranged billions in financing and oversaw major data center expansions. At OpenAI, he reports to CFO Sarah Friar and coordinates with Greg Brockman’s team, responsible for compute contracts and capital allocation.
The hiring of Liberatore is also viewed through the lens of the escalating rivalry between Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, and Musk. Once co-founders and friends, Altman and Musk are now engaged in legal disputes over OpenAI’s corporate structure and strategic direction, highlighting the high stakes surrounding AI leadership and infrastructure investment.
Expanding Commercial Ambitions
OpenAI’s valuation has surged to roughly $500 billion, and the company continues to expand its commercial footprint with massive deals, including a $300 billion arrangement with Oracle for compute resources.
The company’s nonprofit parent retains oversight while holding equity worth over $100 billion, allowing OpenAI to pursue aggressive growth strategies without relinquishing governance.
Industry observers see the search for an ads chief as part of a broader push to professionalize revenue operations and position OpenAI for sustainable profitability. By bringing in leadership with deep expertise in digital advertising and monetization, OpenAI aims to build a scalable financial model that supports continued AI innovation and market expansion.
