OpenAI’s ChatGPT reaches 1 billion weekly users, seven months behind target

Key Points

• ChatGPT is set to reach 1 billion weekly active users by mid‑2026.
• Target was originally end of 2025; the milestone arrives about seven months later.
• Growth from 400 million weekly users in Feb 2025 to over 900 million by Feb 2026.
• One in eight internet users now interacts with ChatGPT each week.
• Milestone strengthens OpenAI’s valuation ahead of a potential IPO.
• Competition from Google Gemini and Chinese AI models is intensifying.
• Analysts see the delay as a sign that scaling beyond 100 million users is harder.
• OpenAI must now focus on monetizing its massive consumer base.