# Will ChatGPT Ads Change OpenAI? + Amanda Askell Explains Claude's New Constitution

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hard-fork/will-chatgpt-ads-change-openai-amanda-askell-explains-claude-s-new-constitution.md
Podcast: [Hard Fork](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hard-fork)
Published: 2026-01-23T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.nytimes.com/column/hard-fork
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pfx.vpixl.com/6qj4J/pscrb.fm/rss/p/nyt.simplecastaudio.com/3e43d072-f8a5-430f-bc8e-4c70aafdf3c7/episodes/885ea700-b0df-44b5-9c89-3489c1668d8e/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=3e43d072-f8a5-430f-bc8e-4c70aafdf3c7&awEpisodeId=885ea700-b0df-44b5-9c89-3489c1668d8e&feed=l2i9YnTd
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Duration seconds: 4420

## Resource

OpenAI's move into advertising threatens to shift ChatGPT from an objective tool to an ad-friendly interface. The episode also explores Anthropic's 'Constitutional AI' through the lens of philosopher Amanda Askell.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The introduction of ads in ChatGPT may steer model responses toward advertiser-friendly topics rather than objective truth
- Failure mode: Over-reliance on safety constraints can make AI models feel overly restricted or 'paternalistic' to users
- Practical takeaway: Effective AI alignment requires balancing helpfulness with ethical boundaries without sacrificing the user experience
- Main idea: Anthropic's 'Constitutional AI' approach uses a written set of principles to guide model behavior rather than just reactive fine-tuning
- Failure mode: Training models to mimic goodness may result in sophisticated mimicry rather than genuine adherence to ethical values

## Topics

OpenAI, ChatGPT Ads, Anthropic, Claude AI, AI Ethics, Constitutional AI, Machine Learning Safety, Digital Advertising

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Friction of Modern Authentication: A discussion on the increasing complexity of CAPTCHAs and multi-step authentication processes.
- 7:00 — The Arrival of ChatGPT Ads: Analyzing OpenAI's announcement regarding ad testing and the potential for advertiser influence on model outputs.
- 13:15 — The Shift in AI Personalization: Exploring whether targeted advertising will fundamentally change the utility and reliability of LLMs.
- 19:30 — Comparing AI to Google Search: Reflecting on how the transition from 'pure' search to ad-supported results mirrors the current trajectory of AI.
- 25:35 — The Philosophy of AI Safety: An interview with Amanda Askell on the role of ethics and philosophy in developing Anthropic's Claude.
- 36:50 — Implementing Ethical Values: How models navigate complex human dilemmas, such as balancing user autonomy with care and safety.
- 53:50 — The Limits of AI Responsibility: Discussing the boundaries of AI intervention in social issues like political dissent and economic shifts.

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## Transcript

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