ChatGPT User Base Surges 350% in 18 Months as it Nears 1 Billion Weekly Active Users

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT has reached 900 million weekly active users, marking a staggering 350% growth since just 18 months ago when the service first passed 200 million weekly active users. This meteoric rise positions the AI chatbot on the verge of reaching the significant milestone of 1 billion weekly active users, cementing its position as the dominant player in the consumer AI space.

The user growth coincides with a substantial subscriber base, with over 5% of weekly active users now being paid consumer subscribers—representing more than 45 million paid users. OpenAI specifically notes that "subscriber momentum accelerated meaningfully to start the year, with January and February on track to be the largest months for new subscribers in our history."

ChatGPT has evolved beyond its initial chatbot functionality to become a versatile tool that people use for learning, writing, planning, and building. As the service scales, OpenAI reports tangible improvements in the user experience, including faster responses, higher reliability, stronger safety measures, and more consistent performance. These enhancements have likely contributed to the retention and growth of the user base.

The integration of ChatGPT with Apple's ecosystem has been a significant factor in its recent growth. Since August 2024, ChatGPT has gained direct integration with Siri through iOS 18, allowing iPhone users to access the powerful AI assistant without leaving Apple's ecosystem. This partnership between Apple and OpenAI represents a strategic shift for Apple, which had previously focused on developing its own AI capabilities.

Looking ahead, Apple appears to be doubling down on AI integration. The company is expected to pivot Siri into some form of AI chatbot with iOS 27, potentially further incorporating ChatGPT or similar technologies. This strategic direction acknowledges the fundamental change in how users interact with digital assistants, moving from simple command-based systems to conversational AI that can understand context and provide more comprehensive assistance.

Apple's AI strategy extends beyond Siri to encompass broader ecosystem integration. The company has made a deal with Google to use Gemini as the backend for a more personal version of Siri and Apple Intelligence, expected to arrive with iOS 26.5. This dual partnership approach—utilizing both OpenAI's GPT models and Google's Gemini—suggests Apple is hedging its bets while ensuring it can offer the most advanced AI features to its users.

For developers, Apple has opened up Xcode to agentic coding with the help of Anthropic and OpenAI tools. This move enables developers to create more intelligent applications that can understand context, make decisions, and perform complex tasks within the Apple ecosystem. By integrating these AI capabilities directly into development tools, Apple is fostering a new generation of applications that can leverage the power of large language models.

The success of ChatGPT highlights a fundamental shift in how consumers are interacting with technology. Rather than relying solely on traditional search engines or specialized applications, users are turning to conversational AI as their primary interface for information, creativity, and productivity. This trend has significant implications for the entire tech industry, as companies race to integrate similar capabilities into their products.

As ChatGPT approaches the 1 billion weekly active users milestone, its influence on the mobile landscape will only continue to grow. The partnership with Apple, in particular, represents a significant validation of OpenAI's technology and suggests that AI assistants will become increasingly integrated into the core functionality of smartphones and other devices. For users, this means more intelligent, responsive, and capable digital experiences that can understand and anticipate their needs in ways previously unimaginable.

The rapid adoption of ChatGPT also raises important questions about data privacy, content moderation, and the ethical implications of such widespread AI usage. As these technologies become more deeply embedded in daily life, the companies behind them will need to address these concerns while continuing to innovate and improve their offerings.

For Apple, the integration of ChatGPT and other AI technologies represents both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, these partnerships allow Apple to offer cutting-edge AI features without having to develop all the underlying technology itself. On the other hand, they increase Apple's dependence on third-party providers for core functionality, potentially creating long-term strategic considerations as the AI landscape continues to evolve.