Hey, did you hear about Marissa Mayer’s idea for AI chatbots? She says they could make money through ads.

Yeah, I read about that! She thinks AI chatbots could partner with advertisers to give super-detailed answers, like showing concert tickets with seat maps and prices.

Wait, so the chatbot would show ads while answering my question? Isn’t that annoying?

Not exactly. She’s saying it wouldn’t just be random ads. The ads could actually match what you’re looking for. Like, if you ask about a concert, it might show you tickets instead of random articles about the band.

Hmm, that sounds useful. But how would it get all that info, like seat availability and prices?

Good question! Advertisers, like Ticketmaster or StubHub, would have to share their data with the chatbot. That way, the bot can give you precise answers, just like Mayer described.

Would companies really do that? I mean, isn’t sharing all that data risky?

Mayer thinks they would. She said advertisers already share a lot of data with Google, and the trend is growing. They’re willing to do it because it helps them reach customers better.

Oh, like how Google ads show me exactly what I want when I search for something?

Exactly! But in this case, AI chatbots could synthesize that info and present it more naturally, like in a conversation. It could be a win-win — better for users and for advertisers.

But wouldn’t this make the chatbot biased? Like, it might only recommend stuff from companies that pay for ads.

That’s a valid concern. If chatbots prioritize ad-sponsored answers, it could affect trust. People might wonder if they’re getting the best answer or just the paid one.

And what about privacy? Sharing so much data sounds risky for users too.

True. If advertisers share more data with AI providers, it raises questions about how that data is used and protected. It’s something AI companies would need to address carefully.

So, this could solve the money problem for AI companies, but it’s a bit... complicated. Do you think it’ll work?

It could, but only if it’s done right. Companies need to be transparent, protect user data, and make sure the ads actually help people. Otherwise, people might lose trust in the chatbots.

Got it. So it’s like turning the chatbot into a smarter version of Google Search, but with some big risks attached.

Exactly. It’s a promising idea, but also one that needs to balance business goals with user trust and privacy.