Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has captured global attention. Originally designed to boost productivity by helping users write essays and code from simple text prompts, it has grown into a powerhouse with 300 million weekly active users.

Figure 1. ChatGPT: All You Need to Know About the AI Chatbot.

2024 marked a milestone year for OpenAI. Highlights included a partnership with Apple for its generative AI platform, Apple Intelligence, the release of GPT-4o with voice capabilities, and the long-awaited launch of its text-to-video model, Sora. Figure 1 shows ChatGPT: All You Need to Know About the AI Chatbot.

However, OpenAI also faced turbulence behind the scenes. High-profile departures, including co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and CTO Mira Murati, made headlines. The company also dealt with legal challenges, including lawsuits from Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers over copyright infringement and an injunction from Elon Musk attempting to block OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit structure.

In 2025, OpenAI is grappling with concerns that it may be losing ground in the global AI race to Chinese competitors like DeepSeek. The company is simultaneously strengthening ties with Washington while pursuing an ambitious data center expansion and reportedly preparing one of the largest funding rounds in history.

Below is a timeline of ChatGPT updates and releases, starting with the most recent. This timeline is updated throughout the year. For more details, check out our ChatGPT FAQ.

Handling Mental Health Conversations

OpenAI revealed that ChatGPT engages in over a million suicide- and mental health-related conversations weekly, covering topics like suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and mania. To improve support, OpenAI consulted more than 170 mental health experts, enhancing ChatGPT’s ability to respond safely and appropriately.

AI for Music Creation

OpenAI is developing a tool to generate music from text and audio prompts, potentially for video enhancement or instrumentation. The system is being trained using annotated scores from Juilliard students, though details on launch or integration with ChatGPT and Sora remain unclear.

Smarter Work and School Organization

The new “company knowledge” update lets Business, Enterprise, and Education users search workplace data across platforms like Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub using GPT 5. Acting as a conversational search engine, it provides more accurate answers by pulling from multiple sources simultaneously.

ChatGPT Atlas: A New AI Browser

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Atlas on Mac, offering answers from ChatGPT instead of traditional search results. Unlike other AI browsers, Atlas is open to all users and will expand to Windows, iOS, and Android, aiming to make ChatGPT a primary web search tool.

Mobile App Growth Slows, But Usage Remains Strong

According to Apptopia, ChatGPT’s mobile app growth is leveling off, with global downloads slowing since April. Daily installs remain in the millions, though October saw an 8.1% month-over-month decline in new downloads.

Walmart Integration for AI Shopping

OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let users browse products, plan meals, and make purchases via ChatGPT, with support for third-party sellers expected later this fall. This is part of OpenAI’s push into AI-driven e-commerce, including collaborations with Etsy and Shopify.

ChatGPT Go Plan Expands in Asia

The affordable ChatGPT Go plan (under $5) is now available in 16 additional Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan. Payment options vary by country, with some accepting local currencies and others requiring USD.

800 million Weekly Active Users

ChatGPT now boasts 800 million weekly active users, spanning consumers, developers, enterprises, and governments. OpenAI is expanding AI infrastructure and securing more chips to meet rising demand.

Developers Can Build Apps Inside ChatGPT

OpenAI now allows developers to create interactive apps directly inside ChatGPT, with early partners like Booking.com, Expedia, Spotify, Figma, Coursera, Zillow, and Canva. A preview of the Apps SDK is also available for building these chat-based experiences.

Source:TC

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), ChatGPT: Everything About the AI Chatbot in One Place, AnaTechMaz, pp. 320