Inside ChatGPT: How 700 Million People Actually Use AI

Author(s): Gowtham Boyina

Originally published on Towards AI.

The Fastest Tech Adoption in Human History

By July 2025, ChatGPT had reached a milestone that no technology in history had achieved so quickly: 700 million weekly active users, representing roughly 10% of the world’s adult population. To put this in perspective, it took television 13 years to reach 50 million users, the internet 4 years, and Facebook 3.5 years. ChatGPT? Just months.

The article details the remarkable rise of ChatGPT, showcasing its rapid adoption and usage patterns that span various demographic groups. With over 700 million weekly users by 2025, a significant shift away from workplace applications towards personal use is highlighted, indicating that many engage with AI for learning and creative projects rather than solely for productivity. The study reveals that non-work-related messages surged to represent 73% of overall usage, suggesting that the impact of AI in personal contexts is not only substantial but transformative, challenging traditional economic assessments that focus primarily on professional productivity gains.

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Published via Towards AI