OpenAI has launched Sponsored Agents, a new advertising product enabling users to interact directly with merchant AI customer service after clicking ads within ChatGPT. These branded conversations operate independently from ChatGPT’s standard responses and user history, allowing personalized engagement before directing users to external websites. The feature is currently in testing with select U.S. advertisers, featuring HubSpot as the first CRM partner and Shopify as the initial e-commerce partner. Shopify’s international version is scheduled to launch on September 23.