ChatGPT is starting to test Ads

Welcome to AI Toast!

Here’s what’s on the menu today:

• Ads on ChatGPT

• Claude in Power Point

• Superhero Tools for productivity

• Register for Webinar: Agentic AI is breaking Identity Model

• Quick Toasts: Amazon AI Marketplace

Total read time: About 5 minutes, perfect for a quick coffee break.

ChatGPT is starting to test ads

The era of purely subscription-funded AI is shifting. OpenAI has officially started testing ads within ChatGPT conversations for free users in the US.

• The pilot program targets logged-in adults on the Free and Go tiers, leaving Plus, Pro, and Enterprise users unaffected.

• Ads will appear as visually distinct sponsored results based on conversation topics and interaction history.

• Privacy remains a focus, with OpenAI stating advertisers will not access chat logs, memories, or personal identity details.

• Users can manage ad personalization or opt out entirely by accepting stricter message limits on the free plan.

• The company explicitly notes this move helps offset the massive infrastructure costs required to keep the free tier fast and reliable.

• If you are researching products like meal kits, relevant options may now appear directly alongside the AI’s advice.

This test signals a new phase where AI utility meets traditional digital advertising. The success of this pilot will likely dictate how competitors structure their own free tiers moving forward.

Personal Take: We are watching chatbots adopt search-engine business models in front of our eyes. While inevitable due to compute costs, the real challenge will be maintaining trust. If users feel the AI is steering them toward a purchase rather than the best answer, the core value of the tool collapses.

Claude can now build presentations in PowerPoint

Making good presentations in PowerPoint has always been painful. Claude changes that.

With the new PowerPoint add-in from Anthropic, Claude can turn raw data into a complete slide deck in minutes.

How it works:

• Open PowerPoint and go to Add-ins in the Home tab

• Search for Claude by Anthropic and install it

• Open the Claude sidebar inside PowerPoint

• Select Opus 4.6, the latest model

• Upload your data (Excel, CSV, documents - anything)

• Prompt: “Turn this into a presentation”

• Wait about 2 minutes

Claude builds the deck for you.

Why this matters: Most presentations are time-consuming, but Claude simplifies the process by structuring slides, organizing content, and creating a solid first draft, eliminating the need to start from scratch.

Personal Take: I used a messy spreadsheet and wasn't expecting much, but the result surprised me. Claude didn't just throw data onto slides, it organized the information well and gave me a usable deck. I still adjusted the wording and visuals, but the toughest part was already done.

It felt less like "AI magic" and more like having someone handle the initial, tedious work so I could concentrate on improving it.

𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬

Agentic AI is changing how software operates, and quietly breaking the identity and access models most organizations rely on.

Unlike traditional applications, agentic systems are non-deterministic, long-running, and capable of making autonomous decisions across infrastructure and production services. These systems don’t fit identity models built for humans, static workloads, or perimeter-based controls.

As teams rush to deploy agents and copilots, they are introducing new risks:

• Credential sprawl

• Uncontrolled privilege

• Poor Auditability

• Fragile operational guardrails

This isn’t an LLM problem. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦.

In this webinar, Craig Matsumoto (Futuriōm) and Teleport CEO Ev Kontsevoy explain why legacy IAM and PAM fail for autonomous systems, and what AI-ready identity and governance look like in practice.

If you’re responsible for production systems and being asked to move faster with AI, this session is for you.

AI adoption is accelerating. Identity foundations are not.

This webinar explains why that gap matters, and how to close it. Register here

Superhero Tools (Productivity)

Canva: A comprehensive design platform that lets you create professional graphics, presentations, and videos with simple drag-and-drop tools.

Google AI Studio: A prototyping environment where you can test Gemini models and generate code to build websites or applications.

Meta Edits: A mobile video editor from Instagram that simplifies creating short-form content with AI-powered tools and templates.

HeyGen: An AI video generator that produces realistic avatars and voiceovers, allowing you to create content without a camera or crew.

Fireflies.ai: An automated meeting assistant that joins your calls to record, transcribe, and summarize key action items in real time.

Quick AI News Bites

• The AI arms race is getting another massive cash injection. Anthropic is reportedly set to close more than $20 billion in funding as early as next week. This capital will likely drive the infrastructure needed for their next generation of models.

• Publishing workflows are getting a dedicated AI layer. WordPress.com has introduced the Claude Connector, allowing users to draft and edit with Anthropic’s model directly in the CMS. It aims to reduce the friction of copy-pasting between your chatbot and your blog.

• As newer models take center stage, older iterations are being sunsetted. OpenAI has announced they are retiring GPT-4o and other legacy models from their active lineup. Users and developers will need to migrate to the latest versions to maintain service continuity.

• Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek bought the ai.com domain for a record $70 million (paid in crypto) back in April 2025, smashing previous domain sale records. He launched it as a consumer AI agent platform (for tasks like messaging, app automation, stock trading) timed to debut via a high-profile Super Bowl ad. The ad drove insane traffic that crashed the site right after airing — classic hype-over-infrastructure move in the current AI/crypto crossover bubble.

• The retail giant may soon sell prompts and synthetic media. Amazon is discussing plans to launch an AI content marketplace to compete in the growing digital asset economy. The platform would likely serve as a hub for creators to sell AI-generated video, image, and text assets.

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Cheers,

— Poonam Soni

X: @CodeByPoonam