OpenAI: ChatGPT set to hit 700 million weekly active users this week

User Growth & Adoption - OpenAI's ChatGPT is projected to reach 700 million weekly active users, a significant increase from 500 million in March [1] - This represents a more than four-fold year-over-year growth in user base [1] - Daily user messages have surpassed 3 billion [2] - Business adoption is surging, with 5 million paying business users, up from 3 million just months ago [2] Financial Performance & Funding - OpenAI secured $8.3 billion from venture investors as part of a SoftBank-led $40 billion fundraising round [2] - The fresh capital is expected to push annual recurring revenue (ARR) to $13 billion [3] - OpenAI is tracking to surpass $20 billion in ARR by year-end [3][6] - Rival Anthropic is reportedly generating around $4 billion in ARR [3][6] Valuation & Investment - OpenAI's potential valuation could reach $300 billion post-money, based on the $20 billion revenue projection [4] - Anthropic's valuation is reportedly at $170 billion [3][6] - OpenAI is looking to close the $40 billion funding round and open it up to new investors [6][7]