The flurry of OpenAI deals make me think were reaching a tipping point maybe a lot sooner than I expected. This is a company that needs to show some viability of generative AI as a product and so far they've created AI-Slop TikTok (which the inference to run must be a huge negative for them) and a third party way to purchase things online. Consumer spending is so low that Costco isn't putting out really any Christmas merchandise this year and one of ChatGPT's avenue for profitability is going to be as an intermediary for consumer purchasing?
I mean, I do think OpenAI's plans are *at best* optimistic, but they do also sell API access, have two paid subscription tiers, and get used for coding, so it's not like their revenue is only a (shockingly expensive, see the API pricing) video generator and some sponsored shopping results.
https://archive.md/h5zft
The flurry of OpenAI deals make me think were reaching a tipping point maybe a lot sooner than I expected. This is a company that needs to show some viability of generative AI as a product and so far they've created AI-Slop TikTok (which the inference to run must be a huge negative for them) and a third party way to purchase things online. Consumer spending is so low that Costco isn't putting out really any Christmas merchandise this year and one of ChatGPT's avenue for profitability is going to be as an intermediary for consumer purchasing?
Plus all the other things.
I mean, I do think OpenAI's plans are *at best* optimistic, but they do also sell API access, have two paid subscription tiers, and get used for coding, so it's not like their revenue is only a (shockingly expensive, see the API pricing) video generator and some sponsored shopping results.
Costco isn't putting out really any Christmas merchandise this year
That would seem to be big news. I couldn't find anything referencing this.
> https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/costco-thin-...
> https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/costco-thin-down-christmas...
> https://globalnews.ca/news/11455831/costco-seasonal-changes-...
Walmart post: https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10/14/walmart-partne...