OpenAI posts 10% ChatGPT growth, teases updated chat model
OpenAI posts 10% ChatGPT growth, teases updated chat model
OpenAI reports renewed momentum as ChatGPT climbs back to 10% MoM growth and hints at an updated chat model slated for release soon, as Codex rides a 50% growth wave.
OpenAI is showing fresh momentum after a tough stretch, with ChatGPT returning to more than 10% month-on-month growth and offering some relief after months of intense competition in the AI race. The pickup in user activity appears to have helped restore confidence inside the company following a “code red” in December 2025, when several core projects were paused to focus on improving ChatGPT, accelerating model upgrades and responding to rising competition.
In an internal Slack message cited by outlets, OpenAI said it plans to introduce an updated Chat model in the coming days. Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman hinted that a new AI model could roll out between February 9 and February 15. He also noted that Codex, the coding-focused product, has grown by about 50% as adoption accelerates in recent weeks. The release of GPT-5.3-Codex last week drew an “insane” response from users, according to Altman, underscoring a lively demand for AI-powered development tools. Codex remains a key competitor to Anthropic’s Claude Code, signaling a tight race in software tooling built around AI.
The rivalry has spilled into business models as well. Anthropic has publicly committed to keeping its chatbot ad-free, while OpenAI has begun testing advertisements inside ChatGPT. Anthropic’s ads campaign has drawn criticism from Altman, who described the approach as “dishonest” and reiterated that OpenAI would “never run ads in the way Anthropic depicts them.” Alongside the updated chat model, OpenAI is also reportedly exploring ad placements on its Free and Go subscription tiers, a step that could reshape how users experience the tool while raising questions about privacy and balance.
Looking ahead, investors and developers will be watching whether OpenAI can sustain this renewed growth and maintain its lead in an increasingly crowded AI landscape, with a potential release window narrowing to this week for the updated model.
