# Proton Launches Privacy-Focused AI Assistant With Image Generation
Proton has rolled out new features for its AI chatbot, adding image generation and extended reasoning capabilities to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. The service prioritizes user privacy by not storing conversation data or training models on your inputs.
The chatbot operates within Proton's encrypted ecosystem, the same infrastructure protecting its email and VPN services. Unlike ChatGPT, which retains conversation history for model improvement, Proton deletes your chat sessions. The company doesn't log IP addresses or create user profiles tied to AI interactions.
Proton's image generation feature lets users create visuals directly within the chat interface. The deep-thinking mode handles complex problems by working through multiple reasoning steps before delivering answers. This mirrors ChatGPT's advanced reasoning, though performance varies between platforms.
The privacy advantage matters for sensitive work. If you're drafting confidential documents, business strategies, or personal financial plans, Proton's approach prevents that data from feeding into commercial AI models. ChatGPT's free tier and standard subscriptions do store chats by default, though you can disable this in settings.
Pricing differs too. Proton's AI assistant integrates with its paid subscription tiers. ChatGPT Plus costs $20 monthly for advanced features. Proton Mail Plus runs $12 monthly and bundles email, calendar, storage, and VPN alongside AI access. For users already paying for Proton's email or VPN service, the AI assistant represents added value rather than another monthly charge.
The trade-off exists in capability. ChatGPT maintains a larger user base and more frequent model updates. Proton's assistant lags slightly on cutting-edge features. However, for users handling confidential information or uncomfortable with data retention practices, Proton's privacy-first design