[mh-]

I haven't said the same thing as the parent commenter:

> So, is this OpenAI announcing they're strapped for cash?

It by no means conveys that. It means they haven't figured out another way to monetize something they want to do; it indicates nothing about their financial situation. It means they don't want to sell something at a loss perpetually while they figure it out.

[Dylan16807]

Being forced into something you don't want to do, to stop selling at a loss... I would categorize that as some level of strapped for cash.

[mh-]

You realize we're talking about a product that is currently free, right? Neither of us have any insight into the margins of their paid offering.

All this means is: we have a free offering that we can't figure out another way to monetize right now.

We can each draw our own conclusions about what that might mean for the state of their business, but all of the other inferences (ha) in this thread are conjecture.

[Dylan16807]

> You realize we're talking about a product that is currently free, right? Neither of us have any insight into the margins of their paid offering.

I don't see how that changes the analysis.

> All this means is: we have a free offering that we can't figure out another way to monetize right now.

And they're doing something they significantly don't want to do to monetize it.

Either they fully changed their mind, or the money is somewhat important, or they're utterly crazy.

The first is unlikely, the last is unlikely, the middle one is enough for a casual "strapped for cash".

It's a very minor conjecture. Actions aren't taken for no reason.

[mh-]

If we can agree that "strapped for cash" also includes "not stupid with cash", I think we're on the same page here. :)

(For all I know they are strapped for cash, to be clear; I just don't think the quote says that.)

[Dylan16807]

Going with a last resort implies more than "not stupid".

[mh-]

Okay, fine: "conservative with cash" or even "tight with spending"?

(I'm not sure how much deeper HN threads can nest.)

[hattmall]

Presumably the way to monetize a free tier is by converting them into paying users.

[conductr]

“Upgrade for an Ad free experience” will certainly be a part of it.