OpenAI prioritizes the practical adoption of AI in 2026

OpenAI focuses on the practical adoption of AI

• OpenAI will focus its efforts on the practical adoption of artificial intelligence in 2026.
• The company has experienced significant growth in its active user metrics.
• Massive investments are being made in infrastructure to support growth.
• OpenAI will explore new economic models and the introduction of ads and subscriptions.
• The collaboration with Jony Ive on hardware promises innovations in devices.

OpenAI’s approach to the practical adoption of AI in 2026

OpenAI has stated that 2026 will be the year of the “practical adoption” of artificial intelligence, according to its CFO, Sarah Friar. This approach seeks to close the gap between AI’s current capabilities and its everyday use by individuals and organizations. Friar emphasizes that the opportunity is “big and immediate,” especially in sectors such as healthcare, science, and business, where better intelligence can translate into more effective outcomes.

The company has experienced notable growth in its computing capacity, going from 0.2 gigawatts in 2023 to approximately 1.9 gigawatts in 2025. This increase in capacity has gone hand in hand with growth in annual revenue, which surpassed $20 billion in 2025, compared with just $2 billion in 2023. This unprecedented growth highlights the importance of infrastructure in AI adoption.

OpenAI is committed to optimizing the user experience and making the monetization of its services, such as ChatGPT, a natural part of the interaction. The company plans to integrate artificial intelligence into areas such as scientific research and financial modeling, which could give rise to new economic models based on licensing and outcome-oriented pricing.

Significant investments in infrastructure

Investments in infrastructure are a fundamental pillar for OpenAI’s growth. The company has committed approximately $1.4 trillion in infrastructure deals, including data centers and energy systems needed to support its expansion. This approach not only ensures the necessary computing capacity, but also allows OpenAI to diversify its service providers, which is crucial in a market where access to computing defines who can scale.

OpenAI’s strategy includes planning and financing computing capacity with confidence, which entails long-term commitments and a disciplined approach to managing its resources. The company has moved from depending on

from relying on a single compute provider to working with a diversified ecosystem, allowing it to better adapt to market fluctuations.

In addition, OpenAI has managed to significantly reduce inference costs, which are now below one dollar per million tokens. This cost reduction is vital to improving the efficiency of commercializing its services and to facilitating the widespread adoption of AI.

Growth in active user metrics

OpenAI has reported continued growth in its active user metrics, with figures reaching all-time highs. This growth is attributed to a “flywheel” that combines compute, cutting-edge research, products, and monetization. The company has seen an increase in enterprise spending on its models, surpassing competitors such as Anthropic and Google.

OpenAI’s expansion in the market has been reflected in the increase in daily and weekly users, indicating growing acceptance of its products. This growth is not only an indicator of the popularity of its services, but also of the effectiveness of its monetization strategy, which is aligned with increased compute availability.

The company has also begun testing ads on its platform, a move that had been anticipated for months. Although CEO Sam Altman had described ads as a “last resort,” this strategy is considered essential to diversify revenue sources and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Introduction of ads and new subscriptions

The introduction of ads on OpenAI’s platform marks a significant shift in its business model. The company has announced that it will begin testing ads for some ChatGPT users in the United States, representing a step toward broader monetization of its services. Friar has noted that monetization should feel “native” to the user experience, implying that any form of advertising must add value and not be intrusive.

In addition, OpenAI has launched a more affordable subscription, ChatGPT Go, which is available worldwide. This option aims to attract a broader audience and facilitate access to its services, which could further increase its active user base.

OpenAI’s monetization strategy is based on the premise that artificial intelligence should be seamlessly integrated into users’ experiences. This not only improves customer satisfaction, but can also generate additional revenue through innovative pricing models that align with the value users get from the services.

Exploration of new economic models

Exploration of new economic modelseconomic models

OpenAI is exploring new economic models as artificial intelligence integrates into sectors such as scientific research, drug discovery, and energy systems. Friar has mentioned that as intelligence moves into these areas, new business models will emerge, including intellectual property agreements and outcome-based pricing.

This innovative approach not only seeks to maximize the value generated by artificial intelligence, but also aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. OpenAI is committed to evolving its business model to reflect changing market needs and emerging opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence.

The company is also prioritizing the development of workflow automation tools and artificial intelligence agents, which will enable users to achieve greater efficiency in their daily tasks. This evolution of OpenAI from being a simple model provider to becoming an ecosystem of automated intelligent systems is a crucial step in its practical adoption strategy.

Collaboration with Jony Ive on hardware

One of OpenAI’s most anticipated collaborations is with Jony Ive, known for his work designing iconic products at Apple. This partnership aims to develop hardware devices that complement OpenAI’s artificial intelligence offering. The first device is expected to be unveiled at the end of this year, which could mark a milestone in how users interact with artificial intelligence.

The collaboration with Ive focuses not only on aesthetic design, but also on functionality and the user experience. OpenAI seeks to create devices that make artificial intelligence more accessible and useful in people’s everyday lives. This initiative could open up new market opportunities and further diversify the company’s revenue streams.

The integration of hardware and software is a strategic step for OpenAI, as it seeks to offer complete solutions that address users’ needs in different contexts. This collaboration could result in innovative products that transform the way people use artificial intelligence in their daily lives.

Opportunities in key sectors: health, science, and business

OpenAI has identified significant opportunities in key sectors such as health, science, and business. The company believes that artificial intelligence can improve outcomes in these areas by providing deeper analysis and more effective solutions. The adoption of AI in healthcare, for example, pod

could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, while in the business sphere, it could optimize processes and increase operational efficiency.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform scientific research by enabling more complex simulations and large-scale data analysis. This could accelerate the discovery of new treatments and technologies, benefiting both the scientific community and society at large.

OpenAI is committed to working collaboratively with institutions and companies in these sectors to maximize the impact of its technologies. The company plans to develop customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each sector, which could result in faster and more effective adoption of artificial intelligence.

Challenges and criticisms of OpenAI’s financial model

Despite its growth and ambitious projections, OpenAI faces criticism and challenges regarding its financial model. Some investors and analysts have expressed concern about the enormous investments the company has made in infrastructure and whether it will generate enough revenue to be profitable in the future. The company has committed approximately $1.4 trillion in infrastructure deals, which raises questions about the sustainability of its business model.

Criticism also focuses on the need for OpenAI to demonstrate that it can generate consistent revenue from its services. Although the company has seen significant growth in its user metrics, effectively monetizing those users remains a challenge. The introduction of ads and new subscriptions is an attempt to address this problem, but market acceptance remains to be seen.

In addition, OpenAI’s reliance on long-term agreements with compute providers and its ability to manage costs effectively are critical factors that will determine its success in the future. The company must balance the need to invest in infrastructure with the need to generate sustainable revenue in the short and long term.

The practical adoption of artificial intelligence in 2026

Key strategies for AI implementation

OpenAI is focused on closing the gap between AI capabilities and their practical use in everyday life, with a particular emphasis on sectors such as healthcare and science.

Impact on sectors such as healthcare and science

Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly transform these sectors by improving outcomes and optimizing processes.

Challenges and opportunities on the path toward monetization

Despite its growth, OpenAI faces challenges in its financial model that must be addressed to ensure its long-term sustainability.