OpenAI's flagship AI chatbot, ChatGPT, has regained its momentum, with its user base doubling in less than six months, according to a new report published by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The report reveals that ChatGPT has reached 400 million weekly active users, with 175 million of those users accessing the app on mobile devices.

This rapid growth is a significant turnaround for ChatGPT, which initially experienced rapid adoption after its release in November 2022. The chatbot became the fastest app to reach 100 million monthly active users, achieving this milestone in just two months. However, its growth slowed down in the following months, taking nine months to grow from 100 million weekly active users in November 2023 to 200 million in August 2024.

According to the report, the initial consumer demand for ChatGPT was driven more by novelty, with users curious about the app's capabilities but unsure how it would fit into their daily lives. However, the release of new models and functionality, such as the GPT-4o model with multimodal capabilities, has driven the recent growth. The launch of Advanced Voice Mode and the o1 model series have also contributed to the increased usage.

The report highlights that ChatGPT's growth has been more consistent on mobile, with users increasing by 5% to 15% every month over the past year. This is a significant achievement, given the competitive landscape of AI chatbots. The report also examines the impact of rival apps, such as DeepSeek, which surged to No. 2 globally in just 10 days and reached No. 2 on mobile in February, capturing 15% of ChatGPT's mobile user base.

Despite the competition, ChatGPT remains the leading AI chatbot, with the report ranking it as the top AI app by unique monthly visits on the web and monthly active users on mobile. The report also provides recommendations for tools for AI developers and coders, as well as rankings of the top AI apps by category and revenue.

The rapid growth of ChatGPT has significant implications for the AI industry, highlighting the increasing adoption of AI technology in everyday life. As AI chatbots continue to evolve and improve, they are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of customer service, education, and entertainment.

The report's findings demonstrate the importance of continuous innovation and improvement in the AI space. OpenAI's commitment to releasing new models and functionality has driven ChatGPT's growth, and other AI developers and companies would do well to take note of this approach.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ChatGPT and its competitors adapt and innovate. One thing is clear, however: AI chatbots are here to stay, and their impact on our daily lives will only continue to grow.