OpenAI has achieved a significant milestone, reaching 300 million weekly active users, a figure announced by CEO Sam Altman during The New York Times' DealBook Summit on December 4, 2024.

This new user count marks a notable increase from the previously reported 250 million weekly active users just a week prior.

As part of an aggressive growth strategy, OpenAI aims to expand its user base to 1 billion active users within the next year.

In a move to bolster its financial position, OpenAI is allowing employees to sell approximately $1.5 billion in shares through a new tender offer to SoftBank.

The company recently completed a substantial $6.6 billion funding round in October 2024, alongside securing a $4 billion revolving line of credit.

Since the launch of ChatGPT two years ago, OpenAI's valuation has soared to $157 billion, fueled by around $13 billion in investments from Microsoft.

To further enhance its market presence, OpenAI has appointed Kate Rouch, formerly of Coinbase, as its first chief marketing officer, reflecting a stronger focus on marketing.

In October 2024, OpenAI launched a new search feature within ChatGPT, aiming to compete more effectively against traditional search engines like Google and Bing.

Despite its success, OpenAI faces stiff competition in the generative AI market from players such as Amazon-backed Anthropic, Elon Musk's xAI, and major tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft.

In response to competitive pressures, Altman clarified that OpenAI has not requested investors to avoid supporting its competitors, although doing so could result in the loss of certain information rights regarding OpenAI's roadmap.