**OpenAI’s ChatGPT Reaches 900 Million Weekly Active Users**
OpenAI is nearing a remarkable achievement, announcing that its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, has 900 million weekly active users. This number signifies an astounding 350% rise in user engagement over the last 18 months. The swift expansion underscores the growing dependence on AI tools for an array of tasks, such as learning, writing, planning, and development.
Currently, over 5% of these weekly active users are paying subscribers, with OpenAI observing a notable surge in subscriber growth at the year’s outset. January and February are anticipated to be record months for new subscribers in the history of the company. The improvements made to ChatGPT, including quicker response times, enhanced reliability, and stronger safety protocols, play a crucial role in expanding the user base, as users recognize immediate advantages from these enhancements.
Just a year and a half ago, OpenAI marked a significant milestone by exceeding the 200 million weekly active users threshold for the first time. The collaboration of ChatGPT with Apple’s Siri through iOS 18 and iOS 26 has broadened its accessibility, making AI more reachable for everyday users.
The surge in AI chatbots has led major tech firms, including Apple, to reevaluate their approaches. Apple is reportedly set to transform Siri into a more chatbot-like experience in future iOS updates, mirroring the widespread adoption of AI advancements. Originally collaborating with OpenAI, Apple has now partnered with Google to leverage its Gemini AI for a more customized Siri experience, expected to launch in iOS 26.5.
Additionally, Apple has integrated agentic coding into its development framework, Xcode, with support from tools offered by Anthropic and OpenAI. This transition marks a broader industry trend towards embedding advanced AI functionalities into existing platforms and services.
As the AI landscape continuously transforms, users are progressively turning to ChatGPT and other chatbots to meet their daily needs. The lingering question is: which AI tool do you find most essential?