ChatGPT has reached 1 billion monthly active users on its app, making it the fastest app in history to reach that milestone. The figures come from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, which previously held the record for Google Maps.
google maps It took about five years to reach 1 billion monthly users. ChatGPT reached the same figure in approximately 3.5 years since its launch in November 2022.
The figure refers specifically to monthly app users rather than total users across all surfaces, including the web.
Growth across the AI chatbot market
While ChatGPT remains the dominant player in the market, the growth rates of competing chatbots are increasing faster in percentage terms:
- ChatGPT: 62% YoY Growth
- Anthropic Claude: 640% year-on-year growth
- AI Goal: 973% YoY Growth
Abe Yousef, senior analyst at Sensor Tower, told CNBC that improvements in models and more positive market sentiment toward rival companies have contributed to the rise of competing apps. Despite significant percentage differences, ChatGPT’s user base is still much larger than its competitors in absolute numbers.
How government agreements and public sentiment are shaping ChatGPT adoption
OpenAI signed an agreement with the Pentagon earlier this year as part of a broader set of contracts between American technology companies and the Department of Defense.
The agreement generated criticism from the public. In response, CEO Sam Altman promised additional safeguards to prevent the technology from being used to surveil American citizens.
On February 28, the day after the Pentagon deal was announced, there was a sharp increase in ChatGPT uninstalls, up approximately 295% compared to the previous day. During the same period, Anthropic’s Claude became the top free app on the US App Store.
Anthropic has refused to allow the government to use its models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. This stance led the Pentagon to label the company a “supply chain risk.” Despite this, reports suggest that the NSA is using Claude Mythos for offensive cyber operations, even amid public disagreements.
The rise in the use of AI chatbots comes alongside growing public concern about AI. Polls show that about 70% of Americans oppose building AI data centers. Concerns also persist about the effect of AI on jobs, although recent analysis suggests that the anticipated large-scale job losses have not yet materialized.
OpenAI published a report this week claiming that China-linked accounts have used ChatGPT to spread anti-data center sentiment in the United States. The company said these efforts had limited impact.
The contrast between growing adoption and declining public opinion is a key feature of the current AI landscape. As ChatGPT reaches 1 billion monthly users, its practical value is seen by many as outweighing concerns, even as debates over the risks and benefits of AI continue to grow.
