ChatGPT rolls out ads

Plus: Hauler Hero collects $16M for its AI waste management software

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In this Newsletter Today:

  • ChatGPT rolls out ads

  • Hauler Hero collects $16M for its AI waste management software

  • AI Tutorial

  • 5 Best AI Tools

TODAY'S AI" NEWS

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ChatGPT rolls out ads

OpenAI has started showing ads in ChatGPT. This is a big change for the popular AI chatbot, which has been mostly ad-free until now. The ads are being tested with some users in the United States. They aim to support free and low-cost access to the service.

Key Points

  • Ads are here! On February 9, 2026, OpenAI started testing ads in ChatGPT. This is for logged-in adult users on the Free plan and the cheaper Go subscription tier in the U.S.

  • Ads appear below ChatGPT’s response. They are clearly marked as sponsored content, so you can tell them apart from the model’s answers.

  • OpenAI states that ads have no effect on ChatGPT’s answers. They use a different system, so advertisers can't change what the chatbot says.

  • Who sees ads: Only Free and Go users in the U.S. are part of this initial test. Ads will not show on higher-tier paid plans (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, Education). They also will not show on accounts that are likely for people under 18.

  • Why ads are added: OpenAI says ads help pay for infrastructure. It keeps access low-cost or free. It also protects privacy and maintains the core ChatGPT experience.

  • User controls: Free users can turn off ad personalization, dismiss ads, or delete ad data, and can upgrade to a paid plan to avoid ads entirely.

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Hauler Hero collects $16M for its AI waste management software

Hauler Hero, a startup that aids waste management firms in modernising, has secured $16 million in a Series A funding round. This money will help expand its AI-powered platform and create new AI tools for the industry.

Key Points

  • Hauler Hero secured $16M in Series A funding. Frontier Growth led the round. I2BF Global Ventures, K5 Global, and Somersault Ventures also gave support. The company has now raised over $27M total.

  • What the platform does: The software helps waste management companies manage customer relationships, billing, routing, and more — all in one cloud-based system.

  • AI features coming: Hauler Hero is developing three AI agents. The first will identify service issues and revenue opportunities. The second is a chatbot for customer support. The third will optimise routes using operational data.

  • Big growth so far: Since its seed round in 2024, the startup says its revenue, customer base, and team have all doubled. Also, its platform has enabled 35 million waste pickups to date.

  • New tech for fleets: A key feature added since the seed round allows companies to gather images from cameras on garbage trucks. This helps with verifying pickups, ensuring billing accuracy, and monitoring the fleet.

  • Future plans: The company will use the new funds to boost its AI agents, grow operations, and expand services. This includes working more with local governments that seek modern digital waste solutions.

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AI TUTORIAL

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BEST AI TOOLS

Free AI Tools You Shouldn’t Miss

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