Despite facing challenges from DeepSeek, ChatGPT has achieved an impressive milestone by doubling its user base once again and surpassing 400 million weekly active users. OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, expressed his gratitude on X, stating, “We feel very fortunate to serve 5 percent of the world every week.” This impressive user count is a significant increase, being double the number reported by the company in August 2024, which itself had already doubled the figures from November 2023.
This surge in user engagement comes in the wake of heightened competition, particularly from the newly launched rival platform DeepSeek earlier this year. The emergence of DeepSeek sparked intense discussions about the potential for leading AI tools, including ChatGPT, to be challenged in their dominance. In response to this competitive landscape, OpenAI is planning to streamline its ChatGPT offerings. This simplification will eliminate the need for users to choose between different reasoning models when interacting with the AI, thereby enhancing the user experience.
Additionally, OpenAI is set to introduce its advanced GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 models to both chat and API clients in the near future. Notably, GPT-5 will also be accessible to OpenAI’s free users, positioning ChatGPT to further broaden its audience in the upcoming months. With these strategic moves, OpenAI aims to solidify its standing in the AI landscape and continue its trajectory of growth and user engagement.
