During the recent TED 2025 event, Sam Altman announced that OpenAI's generative AI systems have experienced explosive growth, doubling their user base to approximately 800 million, which represents about 10% of the global population.

This remarkable surge includes a notable milestone where OpenAI added one million users in just one hour, showcasing the platform's rapid expansion.

The increased usage can be attributed to greater accessibility, enhancements in AI capabilities, and its integration into various applications and platforms.

Altman highlighted this growth as a clear indicator of the rising interest in artificial intelligence among both the public and businesses.

This surge in user numbers signifies a significant increase in the adoption and reliance on AI technologies like ChatGPT.

OpenAI's growth has been fueled by popular features, particularly the ability to generate images and videos in diverse artistic styles, including those reminiscent of Studio Ghibli.

Addressing concerns about intellectual property, Altman reassured that OpenAI has guidelines in place to prevent generating images in the specific styles of individual artists without their consent.

He also proposed a model for compensating artists, suggesting that they could opt in for revenue when their names are used as prompts for AI-generated works.

In related developments, research shows that 82% of workers using generative AI at least weekly believe it enhances their productivity, despite ongoing concerns about job displacement.

Experts caution, however, that while AI can help mitigate costs associated with new tariffs, effective procurement requires clean, structured data to avoid amplifying risks.

Additionally, Altman discussed ongoing advancements in AI agents, which are designed to operate autonomously on behalf of users.

While he did not provide specific statistics regarding the timeframe for this growth, Altman emphasized the trend as substantial and indicative of broader market interest.