This is a huge increase from the 300 million reported in December, as both individual and business users rely more on the chatbot.

The Microsoft-backed firm has also seen a rise in enterprise adoption, with more than 2 million paying business users in February—more than double the number recorded in September last year. 

Developer engagement has also taken off, with traffic doubling over the past six months and a fivefold increase in usage of OpenAI’s o3 model since its launch in January.

This surge in activity comes as competition increases from Chinese AI developer DeepSeek. The company recently introduced an AI model it claims can rival leading Western alternatives at a lower cost. 

However, its quick growth has led to service outages, with its long-term stability being questioned. Again, apprehensions have emerged regarding how DeepSeek obtained Nvidia’s H800 chips, which are restricted under U.S. export controls.

Nonetheless, OpenAI appears confident in its market position. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, attributed the platform’s growth to its increasing utility and word-of-mouth adoption. “People hear about it through word of mouth. They see the utility of it. They see their friends using it,” he said.

Beyond individual OpenAI users, businesses are also driving ChatGPT’s expansion. Many employees who use the chatbot personally have encouraged their organisations to adopt it for work-related tasks. “We get a lot of benefits, and a tailwind from the organic consumer adoption where people already have familiarity with the product,” Lightcap added.

OpenAI’s expansion has unfolded against a backdrop of legal and financial developments. Billionaire Elon Musk, a co-founder of the company, recently sued OpenAI, alleging a breach of contract with its transition into a for-profit entity. 

Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to invest heavily in the firm, and SoftBank is reportedly close to finalising a $40 billion investment that could value OpenAI at nearly $300 billion.

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