I really wonder how this factors into the equity calculation for anyone joining past this point. You either need them to grow into the valuation or hope to be able to sell on the secondary market.
Cash up front please.
sigmoid10•1h ago
They are about to hit 700M weekly active users. That's approaching Facebook order of magnitude market penetration. Of course they have a ridiculous infra OPEX, but the user data alone is probably worth a good chunk to anyone should it ever come to a sell-off. And should they ever start profit-squeezing, it'll be a gigantic gold mine. At this point I'd be much more worried about investing in the smaller competitors like Anthropic, who run on a tiny fraction of the user base. There's basically nothing of value there if they ever get toppled on the tech side.
KumaBear•1h ago
The issue comes down to AD revenue. In the end that’s where the bread and butter comes in. Would you trust an AI that is based around AD revenue? I sure as hell wouldn’t.
Imagine AI that pushes for more engagement. Instead of getting what you want the first time it takes 4-5 times in small chunks to get the full scope of what you asked.
Paid service would be an AI I can trust.
cwmoore•1h ago
Not just AD rev. Behavior mod rev.
kyboren•13m ago
Precisely. It's important to understand what modern digital advertising really is: Population-scale digital pimping. They put your ass on the RTB street to turn tricks. You get mindfucked by--and maybe catch some viruses from--any John who wants to take a crack at you. In return, you get this nice cheap TV/Youtube/Gmail/article.
Now imagine the value of ChatGPT with a similar mindfucking-as-a-service business model. People are using ChatGPT as therapists, virtual partners, an always-reaffirming and helpful companion. They aren't just exposed fleetingly to ads, they're in bed with them, anthropomorphizing them, "talking" to them more than they talk to their own mother. The opportunity to exert influence over the bitch's behavior and thought patterns is an astronomical-scale goldmine.
Population-scale digital pimping is worth trillions. How much is population-scale digital grooming worth?
lotsofpulp•47m ago
People love scrolling through tiktok and instagram videos of “influencers” advertising stuff. For hours and hours. Each day.
The question isn’t would HN’s readers trust AI that incorporates advertising. The question is will the broad populace. And I would bet yes.
fennecbutt•30m ago
Yup most people just want fats, sugars, salts, etc. And dopamine, especially dopamine.
Funny ha ha thing good. Thinking dealing with problem bad. My tribe good. Your tribe bad.
skybrian•1h ago
You’re looking at this like business to consumer but there’s plenty of money to be made selling services to professionals and businesses. Those $100 and $200 plans, along with API access, are not being sold to regular consumers.
cwmoore•1h ago
The combined property of ten football stadiums filled with millionaires seems like a lot for some special 1s and 0s.
John23832•1h ago
Cash up front please.
sigmoid10•1h ago
KumaBear•1h ago
Imagine AI that pushes for more engagement. Instead of getting what you want the first time it takes 4-5 times in small chunks to get the full scope of what you asked.
Paid service would be an AI I can trust.
cwmoore•1h ago
kyboren•13m ago
Now imagine the value of ChatGPT with a similar mindfucking-as-a-service business model. People are using ChatGPT as therapists, virtual partners, an always-reaffirming and helpful companion. They aren't just exposed fleetingly to ads, they're in bed with them, anthropomorphizing them, "talking" to them more than they talk to their own mother. The opportunity to exert influence over the bitch's behavior and thought patterns is an astronomical-scale goldmine.
Population-scale digital pimping is worth trillions. How much is population-scale digital grooming worth?
lotsofpulp•47m ago
The question isn’t would HN’s readers trust AI that incorporates advertising. The question is will the broad populace. And I would bet yes.
fennecbutt•30m ago
Funny ha ha thing good. Thinking dealing with problem bad. My tribe good. Your tribe bad.
skybrian•1h ago