OpenAI to Start Offering Chatbot Ads to Advertisers, Report Says

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OpenAI has begun offering advertising placements within its chatbot to a select group of marketers, marking a significant shift in its business model, according to a report by The Information.

The report said OpenAI is inviting dozens of advertisers to participate in a trial period lasting several weeks, with individual spending commitments below $1 million. Ads are expected to begin appearing in early February and will be priced based on the number of views rather than clicks. Reuters could not independently verify the report, and OpenAI did not immediately comment.

OpenAI is reportedly still developing tools that would allow advertisers to buy ads directly through a self-service system. For now, the process is being handled more manually as the company tests demand and format. The move follows OpenAI’s recent decision to begin showing ads to some U.S. users, as it looks to diversify revenue beyond subscriptions.

The push into advertising underscores growing pressure on OpenAI to fund the rising costs of AI development and data center infrastructure. Backed by Microsoft, the company is widely expected to pursue a public listing in the future, increasing the need for scalable and predictable revenue streams.

Philippines to Restore Access to Grok After Developer Commits to Safety Fixes

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The Philippines will restore access to Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, after the company committed to removing image-manipulation features that raised child safety concerns, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center said Grok’s developer confirmed the platform would no longer use content manipulation tools. The agency added that it would continue monitoring the chatbot even after access is restored to ensure compliance with Philippine laws and regulations.

The Philippines blocked Grok last week amid concerns that it could generate sexualised images, including content posing potential risks to children. The decision followed similar actions by regulators in multiple regions, as governments stepped up scrutiny of AI tools capable of producing explicit or harmful material.

Authorities said the restoration reflects assurances from the developer that safeguards are being strengthened. The move underscores the growing pressure on AI companies to balance innovation with effective content moderation as regulators worldwide tighten oversight of generative technologies.

Netflix Will Now Pay All Cash for Warner Bros to Keep Paramount at Bay

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Netflix has shifted to an all-cash offer for Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, seeking to block rival bids from Paramount and strengthen its position in a heated consolidation battle.

The revised bid values Warner Bros at $82.7 billion, or $27.75 per share, replacing an earlier cash-and-stock proposal. The move has unanimous backing from Warner Bros’ board and is designed to provide shareholders with greater certainty amid volatility in Netflix’s own share price. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the all-cash structure would accelerate the timeline to a shareholder vote, expected by April.

Both Netflix and Paramount have been vying for Warner Bros’ film and television studios, extensive content library, and major franchises including Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and DC Comics characters such as Batman and Superman. Paramount, led by Skydance’s David Ellison, has pressed shareholders to reconsider its rival bid, but Warner Bros has repeatedly rejected it, arguing that Netflix’s offer delivers superior value and lower execution risk.

Market reaction was mixed, with Netflix shares edging higher while Paramount and Warner Bros shares slipped. Analysts said Netflix’s cash-only pivot raises pressure on Paramount to submit a clearly superior proposal if it hopes to stay in the race. Regulatory scrutiny remains a concern, as lawmakers have warned that further media consolidation could limit competition and raise prices for consumers.