ChatGPT ignites the AI boom

What happened

OpenAI released ChatGPT as a free research preview; it reached an estimated 100 million users in two months — the fastest-adopted consumer application to that point.

Why it matters

Generative AI went from research demo to daily tool for hundreds of millions, resetting the industry's direction.

Sources

• NPR. ChatGPT and the AI arms race (2023) · General source
• Stanford HAI. AI Index Report · Reputable source