OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, and in just two months, it set the record for the fastest-growing app in history, reaching 100 million users by January 2023. Now, nearly 200 million people use it weekly.
While Meta's Threads surpassed this milestone, it benefited from a large pre-existing support network thanks to platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which are part of the same ecosystem. With this in mind, no independent app has grown at a similar rate in all of history. This fact clearly illustrates the impact of AI over the past two years. What we ask ourselves at #EidosGlobal, and also propose to debate, is: How can we ensure that this impact is positive, equitable, and sustainable?
How does it compare to other apps?
To put ChatGPT's achievement into perspective, it is interesting to see how it ranks against other tech platforms that are now an essential part of our lives:
ChatGPT, the fastest-growing app
App | Time to reach 100 million users |
ChatGPT | 2 months |
Google + | 1 year 2 months |
2 years 4 months | |
MySpace | 3 years |
Snapchat | 3 years 8 months |
4 years 6 months | |
5 years 5 months |
GPT achieved in weeks what took other giants years. Ease of use, accessibility, power, and the breadth of solutions are some of the reasons we found for this explosion, which brings with it as many advantages as it does challenges.
A Double-Edged Sword: Opportunities and Risks
Not everything surrounding this application is positive, that's clear. While AI has enabled incredible advances in productivity, education, and entertainment, it has also exacerbated critical challenges. From our #Eidos perspective, focused on sustainable human development in harmony with the planet, we cannot overlook the risks this entails, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
Globally, 2.6 billion people still lack access to the internet, representing about 33% of the world’s population. This digital divide seriously threatens equitable development. Populations that are already disadvantaged are increasingly left behind in terms of access to information, economic opportunities, and new technologies.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Future
At #EidosGlobal, we work every day to close this digital divide, developing tools that allow technological innovations to reach more people in a human, inclusive, and fair way. We believe that technology, including AI, can be a force for good, but we need to engage to ensure that the largest number of people have access. This drives us to connect with strategic partners and forge alliances to extend these tools to vulnerable populations that are often overlooked.
Through our educational and community development programs, we have already positively impacted more than 4 million people in 85 countries around the world, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to expand that reach and achieve an even greater impact.
Get Involved
We invite you to learn more about our programs and initiatives to close the digital divide, and to join us in this movement for a more equitable and sustainable future. Visit our website here for more information, and contact us to build a better world together.
Comments