ChatGPT Turns 2: The Journey of a Revolutionary AI Chatbot

ChatGPT, OpenAI's pioneering AI chatbot, celebrates its second anniversary on 30th November, having become a global phenomenon. Launched in 2022, it quickly gained traction, reaching 1 million users within five days and 100 million in just two months—outpacing the growth of other major tech platforms.

As of October 2024, ChatGPT boasts over 180 million active users and more than 4 billion monthly visits, ranking among the top 10 most-visited websites globally. Its user base is global, with significant representation from the US, India, Kenya, and Brazil. A survey by Boston Consulting Group found that 45% of Indians use ChatGPT, with high adoption also seen in Morocco and the UAE.

In education and professional sectors, ChatGPT has seen widespread adoption. Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index revealed that 75% of global knowledge workers now use generative AI, while 58% of students relied on such tools in the 2022-23 academic year. LinkedIn also reported a 142-fold increase in AI-related skills in 2024. Notably, ChatGPT was recognised as the most widely used AI tool among developers.

ChatGPT operates on OpenAI's Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) framework, which processes vast datasets to generate human-like responses. However, the technology has faced ethical scrutiny, with concerns over outsourced labour and copyright issues, such as a lawsuit from The New York Times alleging unauthorised use of its content.

Since its launch, ChatGPT has undergone rapid development. Initially powered by GPT-3.5, it introduced a premium subscription model in February 2023, followed by GPT-4 in March 2023, which offered advanced features. The launch of GPT-4o with multimodal capabilities in May 2024 further expanded its functionality, with the introduction of the GPT-4o Mini in July offering a more affordable version.

OpenAI, founded in 2015, operates under a dual-entity structure, with Microsoft as a significant partner, holding 49% equity and providing critical infrastructure. OpenAI’s valuation has soared to $157 billion, solidifying its dominance in the AI field.

ChatGPT’s second anniversary highlights its profound impact on sectors such as education, business, and personal use, continuing to shape the future of AI despite ongoing ethical and legal challenges.