Thanks to its free version, ChatGPT is currently the most popular AI-powered assistant in France and around the world. Advanced features can also be accessed through the ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs €23 per month. This monthly fee, while offering some benefits, is perceived by some as quite high and inflexible. While OpenAI offers annual billing options, these are reserved for the ChatGPT Team or Enterprise plans, and even the more expensive ChatGPT Pro subscription is only available with monthly billing.
However, recent indications suggest that OpenAI may be exploring new subscription options for ChatGPT Plus, including weekly and even lifetime subscriptions. This information comes from an analysis of the code in the latest build of ChatGPT, as reported by Android Authority. User X M1 (@M1Astra) spotted strings of code in ChatGPT v1.2025.126, indicating the potential arrival of new plans: weekly, yearly, and lifetime.
A weekly subscription option for ChatGPT Plus could appeal to users who only need access to advanced features occasionally. This could be of particular interest to audiences like students and young adults who would primarily need the AI assistant for shorter periods of time. A weekly subscription would also have the advantage of lowering the price barrier to accessing the Plus subscription, as it should be cheaper than the monthly subscription (unless OpenAI increases its prices across the board). Adding annual billing for the Plus subscription would also make sense for loyal users.
Is a lifetime subscription to ChatGPT reasonable?
On the other hand, the idea of a lifetime subscription for ChatGPT Plus is somewhat surprising. OpenAI would have to factor in the future development costs of AI technology and new features. This could make the price of this subscription potentially very high. While this may appeal to some “AI die-hards,” the proposition may struggle to gain traction with the general public. Furthermore, generative AI is constantly evolving, and there's no indication that ChatGPT will still be the leader in three, five, or ten years. The future of ChatGPT, the evolution of its competitors, and the very need for a long-term Plus subscription are unknown factors.
OpenAI has not yet made anything official, and the firm may still explore new ideas before taking the plunge. However, the presence of these text strings in the code could be part of OpenAI's financial challenges. The company recently raised significant funding, but continues to struggle to establish a clear path to profitability. The losses are mainly attributed to the high costs of training and running advanced AI models, employee salaries, and data. The introduction of new subscription offerings, potentially more expensive (such as a lifetime subscription) or varied (weekly to attract more users), could be one answer to counter these losses.
Like OpenAI, Google could evolve its AI offerings
OpenAI wouldn't be the only AI giant considering new subscriptions, and Google is also expected to make moves. The Mountain View group offers a Google One subscription with Gemini Advanced (€21.99/month) and could soon offer new plans. Currently, there's no annual subscription for this offering, and Google will have to make a decision about how to share the AI benefits included in its plan. Currently, members with an AI Premium Family plan can benefit from temporary access to AI Premium features at no additional cost until June 30, 2025. ChatGPT may be waiting for a move from its rival before unveiling any new features.
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