United Kingdom, Dec. 1 -- OpenAI appears to be preparing the first wave of advertisements for ChatGPT, marking a major shift for a platform that has been ad-free since its 2022 debut.

Newly uncovered code inside a beta version of the ChatGPT Android app points to built-in support for ads and shopping features-an unmistakable signal that the company is exploring new revenue streams.

The discovery came from computer engineer Tibor Blaho, who spotted references to an "ads feature," including terms like "bazaar content," "search ad," and "search ads carousel."

While OpenAI hasn't publicly confirmed the change, the code suggests internal testing is underway.

It's a notable pivot for CEO Sam Altman, who once described ads in ChatGPT as a "l...