The demand for conversational tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) remains unprecedented, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT is prominently leading the charge in this domain. ChatGPT’s popularity has soared on Google in its one-year existence, with certain regions standing out prominently.
Specifically, data gathered by Finbold reveals a record-breaking surge in global Google searches for the term’ ChatGPT,’ reaching a peak popularity score of 100 as of November 5. Throughout 2023, the popularity has spiked by an impressive 400%, commencing at a score of 20 on January 1. Notably, by the week ending November 27, 2022, the term recorded a popularity score of 1, aligning with the launch period of the generative AI tool. Therefore, over the past 12 months, the demand for ChatGPT on Google has experienced an astronomical increase of 9,900%.
Regarding the breakdown by country, as of November 15, China leads with a peak score of 100, followed by the Philippines and Nepal in joint second position with 32. Singapore shares the third spot with Sri Lanka, both registering a score of 31.
Why ChatGPT demand is surging
It is worth noting that ChatGPT has emerged as one of the fastest-growing web applications, mirrored by the surging demand. This demand is linked to several elements, ranging from functionality to its first-mover advantage over its AI counterparts. The first-mover advantage has been solidified by the tech giant Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) investment in OpenAI, resulting in the integration of the tool into the company’s various products, including Bing.
The remarkable rise of ChatGPT underscores its effectiveness in assisting with diverse tasks for various industries, coupled with a widespread fascination with human-like machines. The platform’s uniqueness arises from its ability to comprehend and offer feedback on a broad spectrum of human inputs, allowing the tool to handle various tasks, including coding and content generation. The sustained demand dispelled speculation that the tool’s earlier success would fade. In January 2023, another Finbold report indicated that the demand for ChatGPT had reached another record high.
The increasing adoption and demand have provided OpenAI valuable feedback, leading to continuous tool enhancements to meet user needs. Over the past 12 months, notable improvements have been introduced, including launching a mobile application and introducing a subscription service named ChatGPT Plus, catering to users even during peak capacity.
At the same time, there have been memory upgrades, and the latest update features the capability to create personalized AI assistants and introduces a new marketplace—effectively an App Store for chatbots.
It is noteworthy that the success of ChatGPT has paved the way for the growth of related companies venturing into the field of AI. According to a Finbold report, between January and November 2023, $2.86 trillion in market capitalization has flowed into AI companies. A standout example is the growth of chipmaker Nvidia Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), whose foray into AI-related products propelled its market capitalization to over $1 trillion for the first time. Research indicates that the overall AI market is on a trajectory to reach the trillion-dollar mark in the near future.
ChatGPT’s demand in China amid restrictions
Interestingly, ChatGPT’s demand remains high in China despite the country cracking down on the AI tool that has not seen an official launch in the jurisdiction. The surge in demand within the country can be attributed to various factors, with users exploring alternative routes to access ChatGPT. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a common strategy, allowing users to bypass restrictions and engage with the tool despite its unavailability in China. Additionally, users are exploring the creation of mirror sites, providing an alternative gateway to ChatGPT.
Notably, local technology giants opposed ChatGPT, with Tencent removing ChatGPT-related programs from the WeChat platform. In this climate, speculation arose that local Chinese tech giants might prepare to unveil their versions of AI-powered conversational agents.
In this context, Baidu, a significant AI company in China, launched Ernie Bot, the first Chinese rival to ChatGPT, followed by models from Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) and ByteDance. However, these companies have implemented waitlists or approval systems, restricting access for ordinary users and contributing to the heightened demand for ChatGPT.
What next for ChatGPT?
On the flip side, the growth and demand of ChatGPT remain interesting areas to watch, considering that the tool has opened room for more competition among leading tech giants. For instance, following ChatGPT’s growth, Google unveiled its rival in Bard, integrating the tool into various products. This competition will likely impact ChatGPT’s market share unless the company continues innovating to sustain its current numbers.
Meanwhile, OpenAI also grapples with challenges such as a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement amid lingering concerns about the dangers of AI. As ChatGPT approaches its one-year milestone, the tool’s growth trajectory in the upcoming year becomes a subject of keen interest.
