Core Insights - OpenAI aims to have nearly one-third of the global population using ChatGPT by the early 2030s, which translates to approximately 2.6 billion weekly active users, a significant increase from the current 900 million [4][7] - The majority of ChatGPT's users, about 90%, are located outside North America, presenting a challenge for OpenAI in building a robust advertising business [5][6] User Growth and Revenue Potential - OpenAI projects that it could generate $112 billion in revenue from free ChatGPT users over the next five years, primarily through advertising and in-app shopping [5][11] - By 2030, OpenAI anticipates generating $46 billion from non-paying users, contingent on user growth from high-value regions [5][6] Regional User Distribution and Challenges - The top markets for ChatGPT include India and Brazil, but these regions typically have lower average revenue per user (ARPU) compared to North America [6][9] - Historical data from companies like Meta and Snap indicate a trend where a large user base does not necessarily equate to high revenue per user, posing a challenge for OpenAI [6][8] Subscription Services and User Monetization - Currently, only about 5% of ChatGPT's users are paying subscribers, with OpenAI targeting 8.5% of its projected 2.6 billion users to subscribe to the Plus plan by 2030 [10][11] - OpenAI plans to introduce a more affordable subscription option, ChatGPT Go, in countries like India, priced at approximately $5 per month [10] Cost Management and Future Outlook - OpenAI expects to incur nearly $150 billion in operational costs for its AI models by 2030, necessitating significant revenue generation from free users to offset these expenses [11] - The company is focused on enhancing ChatGPT's appeal to ensure continued user growth amidst intense competition [11]