OpenAI spends about $700,000 a day, just to keep ChatGPT going. The cost does not include other AI products like GPT-4 and DALL-E2. Right now, it is pulling through only because of Microsoft's $10 billion funding
It's definitely become a part of a lot of people's workflows. I don't think OpenAI can die. But the need of the hour is to find a way to improve efficiency multifold. This will make it cheaper, more powerful and more accessible
I think they're just trying to get people hooked, and then they'll start charging for it. It even says at the bottom of the page when you're in a chat:
Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. ChatGPT August 3 Version
I don’t think it’s at all clear that that’s a viable business strategy in a market where that kind of sleight of hand is as well known as it is right now