Gradio SDK marked as paid for new Hugging Face Spaces

Hugging Face has updated its platform such that the Gradio SDK is now categorized as a "Paid" option when users create a new Space. This change prevents new free-tier accounts from selecting Gradio without incurring costs.

• New free-tier accounts can no longer select Gradio as an SDK during Space creation.
• The restriction applies to freshly created accounts, indicating a platform-wide policy shift rather than an account-specific issue.
• The change impacts educational programs and nonprofits that rely on free hosting for lightweight demo applications.

This update creates a barrier for educators and nonprofit organizations teaching technical skills to students who cannot afford individual PRO subscriptions.