30-8-2024 (SAN FRANCISCO) OpenAI, the trailblazing artificial intelligence startup, has announced a remarkable milestone for its flagship chatbot, ChatGPT. The AI-powered conversational tool has now amassed over 200 million weekly active users, marking a twofold increase from its user base in the previous autumn.
ChatGPT, which debuted in 2022, has captivated users worldwide with its ability to generate human-like responses to a wide array of prompts. This latest achievement underscores the rapid adoption of AI technology across various sectors and demographics.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, had previously reported 100 million weekly active users in November. The doubling of this figure in such a short span highlights the exponential growth and widespread acceptance of AI-driven conversation tools.
The company’s influence extends far beyond individual users. OpenAI revealed that an impressive 92 per cent of Fortune 500 companies are now utilising its products, demonstrating the technology’s increasing importance in the corporate world. Furthermore, the usage of OpenAI’s automated Application Programming Interface (API) has seen a twofold increase since the introduction of ChatGPT-4o mini in July.
The ChatGPT-4o mini, a more cost-effective and energy-efficient small AI model, was designed to make OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology more accessible and affordable. This strategic move has allowed the startup to tap into a broader customer base, further fuelling its growth.
ChatGPT’s meteoric rise has not only popularised AI but has also significantly boosted OpenAI’s valuation. The San Francisco-based company has become a beacon of innovation in the AI sector, attracting attention from both investors and tech enthusiasts alike.
In a separate development, OpenAI, along with fellow AI startup Anthropic, has entered into agreements with the U.S. government. These deals, announced by the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, involve research, testing, and evaluation of their AI models, signalling growing governmental interest in AI capabilities.
Adding to the buzz surrounding OpenAI, recent media reports suggest that tech giants Apple and Nvidia are in discussions to invest in the company. These potential investments are part of a new fundraising round that could value the ChatGPT creator at over $100 billion. Microsoft, an existing backer of OpenAI, is also expected to participate in this funding round, according to the reports.
