OpenAI’s ChatGPT bot is having a serious effect on the world. Users all over the world are using it to write some quite impressive content. It’s proved so effective that some Australian universities have returned to old-school examination methods to rule out its involvement. So, obviously, OpenAI reckons folks might be keen on paying for access.

That’s not a guess or a rumour. There’s a Google Forms signup sheet for interested parties to register their intent to hand over cash. But signing up and having cash in hand isn’t a guarantee that you’ll have access to the bot.

The price of using ChatGPT

The idea of a paid subscription to ChatGPT is still a trial balloon. Users selected for the pilot program will be set up to arrange payment for the privilege. However, “[p]lease keep in mind that this is an early experimental program that is subject to change, and we are not making paid pro access generally available at this time.”

But paid access might make sense, both from OpenAI’s perspective and from the user end. OpenAI suddenly has a hot new technology property and it seems a little silly to just give it away for free. But paid users, at least in the early pilot, are being offered guaranteed access to the bot, speedier responses, and more messages per day. That could well be paying for.

How much it’ll cost is something OpenAI is still working out. There are options on the signup sheet attempting to gauge how much users are willing to drop for access to the world’s best AI writing tool. Based on the response there, it’s possible we’ll see proper monthly subscription pricing for ChatGPT turn up. But if that doesn’t work out, there’s always Microsoft money, right?