OpenAI, one of the leading AI research companies, has recently come under fire for their questionable business practices. In a move that has left many users frustrated and disappointed, OpenAI has made the Premium option the Free version and removed features from the free version, yet still charges for a premium product that is just the free version. This deceptive business model is not only unethical but also harms the growth and democratization of AI.

OpenAI’s mission is to create safe and beneficial AI for all. However, the recent changes to their business model seem to contradict this mission. The Free version of OpenAI was once a valuable tool for developers and researchers to experiment with natural language processing, text generation, and other AI tasks. However, OpenAI has stripped away many of the features that made the Free version so useful, and now only offers a limited set of features.

To access the full set of features, users are now forced to pay for the Premium version, which is essentially the same as the former Free version. This move is deceptive because it creates the illusion of offering a “Free” version, but in reality, the Free version is now little more than a demo. This is not only misleading but also harms the growth of the AI industry.

The democratization of AI is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. AI is already becoming a ubiquitous technology in our daily lives, and its impact on society will only increase in the coming years. However, by charging for what was once a free and open tool, OpenAI is making it harder for researchers and developers to experiment with AI. This, in turn, could slow down progress and limit innovation in the field.

Moreover, this business model seems to contradict OpenAI’s mission of creating safe and beneficial AI. By limiting access to their tools, OpenAI is not only hindering progress in the field but also limiting the potential for AI to be used for the greater good.

OpenAI’s decision to make the Premium option the Free version and remove features from the free version, yet still charging for a premium product that is just the free version is a deceptive business model that harms the growth and democratization of AI. This move goes against OpenAI’s mission and could potentially hinder progress in the field. It is time for OpenAI to re-evaluate their business practices and focus on creating a more equitable and accessible AI landscape.