OpenAI wants to transform business. Many of its users just want life hacks

"During its early years, OpenAI looked like it might build a business selling access to its increasingly powerful AI models to Fortune 500 companies. But when ChatGPT launched (almost by surprise) in late 2022, the startup suddenly had a breakout consumer product -one that raced to 100 million users in just a few months, faster than any app in history. Overnight, OpenAI became a consumer tech brand and, most importantly, the poster child for generative AI in the minds of everyday users."

"Today, ChatGPT has more than 700 million weekly active users worldwide, according to OpenAI. And the way those people use the chatbot suggests the company may be drifting further toward the consumer market. This week, OpenAI released a study of 1.5 million user chat logs between May 2024 and June 2025, revealing that nearly three-quarters (73%) of chats were personal rather than work-related. Just a year earlier, in June 2024, personal and work prompts had been roughly equal."

"The report comes at a time when, across industries, many enterprises are growing skeptical about how-and when-AI tools might deliver the efficiencies they were promised, the kind executives can tout on earnings calls. Despite the hype, by most objective accounts, the AI transformation hasn't yet materialized. An August MIT report, for example, found that 95% of enterprise AI pilot projects have stalled. Meanwhile, talk of an AI bubble continues, with critics raising an eyebrow at bullish startup valuations and tech stock prices."

ChatGPT transformed OpenAI into a consumer tech brand, reaching over 700 million weekly active users. A study of 1.5 million chat logs from May 2024–June 2025 found 73% of chats were personal, while personal and work prompts had been roughly equal a year earlier. The dataset excludes API customers, who are mainly developers and enterprises. Many enterprises remain skeptical about AI delivering promised efficiencies; an MIT report found 95% of enterprise AI pilots stalled. OpenAI projects large revenue growth but is expected to continue posting multi-billion-dollar annual losses. ChatGPT became the poster child for generative AI among everyday users.

Read at Fast Company