Public launch of ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a generative AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. Originally released on November 30, 2022, the product uses large language models—specifically generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs)—to generate text, speech, and images in response to user prompts. ChatGPT accelerated the ongoing AI boom, a period marked by rapid investment and public attention toward the field of artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI operates the service on a freemium model. Users can interact with ChatGPT through text, audio, and image prompts.

ChatGPT was quickly adopted, reaching 100 million monthly active users two months after its release and 900 million weekly active users in February 2026. As of September 2026, it is the fifth-most visited website globally. Proponents say that it has the potential to transform numerous professional fields, and it has instigated public debate about the nature of creativity and the future of knowledge work.

The chatbot has also been criticized for its limitations and potential for unethical use. It may generate incorrect or nonsensical answers that sound plausible, known as hallucinations. Biases in its training data have been reflected in its responses. The chatbot can facilitate academic dishonesty, generate misinformation, and create malicious code. The ethics of its development, particularly the use of copyrighted content as training data, have also drawn criticism.