OpenAI has designated 2026 as a year for "practical adoption" of AI, signaling a strategic push to accelerate AI deployment across high-value sectors such as healthcare, scientific research, and enterprise applications. The company is simultaneously exploring diversified revenue streams, including advertising, subscriptions, and licensing models.
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar highlighted in a company blog post that revenue growth has closely tracked the availability of computing power. Over the past three years, the firm has diversified its cloud and compute ecosystem, moving away from reliance on a single supplier. Its computing capacity has expanded from 0.2GW in 2023 to 1.9GW in 2025, coinciding with a tenfold increase in annual revenue from US$2 billion to over US$20 billion. Friar noted that earlier access to computing resources accelerates both customer adoption and monetization.
In terms of business strategy, OpenAI recently announced plans to test advertising within ChatGPT in the US. The pilot, targeting free and low-cost adult subscriptions, will clearly label ads without affecting responses, while paid subscribers will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience. CEO Sam Altman had previously expressed reservations about advertising due to potential trust issues, but now sees it as a viable model for users who enjoy AI services but are unwilling to pay.
Friar added that as AI penetrates domains such as drug discovery, energy systems, financial modeling, and scientific research, new commercial models, including licensing, intellectual property revenue sharing, and results-based pricing, are expected to emerge, following a path similar to the internet's early development.
Meanwhile, according to Axios and 9to5Mac, OpenAI is preparing to unveil its first AI hardware device, potentially in the second half of 2026. Speaking at the Axios House event in Davos, Chief Policy Officer Chris Lehane said the company is on schedule to reveal the device, though commercial release may extend into 2027 depending on development progress. The device, reportedly codenamed "Sweetpea," is being developed in collaboration with former Apple Chief Designer Jony Ive and is expected to feature a Samsung 2nm chip. Altman has described the device as offering a highly simplified and serene user experience, suggesting a focus on voice interaction.
OpenAI has strengthened its hardware and design team following its US$6.5 billion acquisition of Ive's startup io Products in May 2025, recruiting multiple former Apple engineers and interface specialists. Among them is Janum Trivedi, who previously contributed to iPadOS core functions, and over 40 additional Apple engineers, including experts in human-computer interaction, manufacturing design, and wearable devices.
Article translated by Jingyue Hsiao and edited by Jack Wu
