ChatGPT sets growth record, reportedly hitting 100 million users in January
ChatGPT is growing faster than TikTok or Instagram when those apps were new.
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What you need to know
ChatGPT is one of the biggest stories in tech right now, but it isn’t just popular among media outlets. According to analysts atUBS, the AI-powered chatbot was used by 100 million people in January 2023. With ChatGPT only becoming publicly available in November of last year, a total of 100 million monthly users is likely a record.
“In 20 years following the internet space, we cannot recall a faster ramp in a consumer internet app,” said UBS (viaReuters). For context,Sensor Towerstates that the popular social media platform TikTok took nine months to have 100 million users in a month. Instagram took 2.5 years, though that platform launched when social media and apps were less popular than it is today.
The same study stated that ChatGPT had 57 million users in December. An addition of 43 million users in the third month of general availability is quite rare among consumer apps and services.
In 20 years following the internet space, we cannot recall a faster ramp in a consumer internet app.
ChatGPT is a chatbot that places the power of artificial intelligence at the fingertips of both casual and professional users. It’s used for a variety of purposes, such as writing articles, assisting developers with coding, and answering questions. There are also less-than-wholesome uses for the tool, such ascheating on homework.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is backed heavily by Microsoft, which invested $1 billion into OpenAI in 2019. Microsoft also announced an expanded partnership with OpenAI last month in a deal that wasrumored to be worth $10 billion.
Microsoft plans tointegrate AI into all of its products, and it has already started rolling outartificial intelligence tools to Microsoft Teamsand other services.
Previous reports claim that Microsoft will alsobuild ChatGPT into Bingas well.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
