OpenAI’s flagship product, ChatGPT, is now processing 2.5 billion user prompts every day, according to figures shared with Axios. Of those, approximately 330 million come from users in the United States. This scale is already equivalent to one sixth of Google’s estimated daily search activity, which falls between 14 and 16 billion queries. As ChatGPT’s usage accelerates, it is increasingly seen as a serious competitor in the search space. It also reflects how quickly user behavior is shifting toward conversational AI tools.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited Washington this week with a message directed at policymakers and regulators. His argument focused on the idea that artificial intelligence should be widely accessible and serve as a productivity tool for everyday users, not just a force of disruption. “It’s not about stopping disruption, but putting it into people’s hands so they have the opportunity to benefit,” a source familiar with Altman’s position told Axios. The comment aligns with OpenAI’s broader efforts to present its technology as empowering rather than destabilizing.
Altman’s message comes at a key moment. As lawmakers debate how to regulate AI, OpenAI is emphasizing its growing adoption and usefulness. In less than two years, ChatGPT has evolved from a niche project into a tool that is redefining how people search for, synthesize, and interact with information. With hundreds of millions of daily prompts, the product is already reshaping expectations for how digital tools should assist users.
A Shift in Search Behavior
For most of the past two decades, internet search has been dominated by Google. The phrase “Google it” became part of daily language, and with good reason. Google consistently ranked as the most visited site in the world, generating over 175 billion dollars in advertising revenue in 2023. People relied on it for everything from directions and shopping to news and local services.
This pattern is now starting to change. Marketing researcher Rand Fishkin, using data from analytics firm Datos, reported that the average desktop user in the United States performed 126 unique Google searches per month in 2024. Meanwhile, a growing group of users, especially early adopters, has begun turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for the same purposes. These users prefer conversational models that can summarize content, answer questions, or complete tasks without needing to sift through lists of links.
The shift has not gone unnoticed at Google. In response, the company has introduced its “Search Generative Experience,” which integrates generative AI into the core of its search engine. A newly added “Web” tab also offers more traditional results for users who want them. These changes show that Google recognizes the growing competition from AI and is adapting to keep up with user expectations.
The Economic Stakes for Google
ChatGPT’s rise as an alternative to traditional search engines brings serious implications for Google’s business model. Search advertising accounts for more than half of Google’s total revenue. High-value queries, such as those related to travel, retail, and professional services, are particularly profitable. If even a small share of this activity moves to AI platforms, the financial consequences for Google could be significant.
To defend its position, Google has integrated its Gemini AI into its search product. This strategy is part of a larger plan to preserve its dominance, but it also presents complications. AI-generated answers often reduce the need to click on external links. This can weaken the advertising model that funds much of the open internet. It also introduces concerns about accuracy, transparency, and proper sourcing. These challenges are still being worked out as AI tools become more prominent.
OpenAI faces a different kind of challenge. By presenting ChatGPT as a daily utility instead of a novelty, the company is building a foundation that could eventually rival traditional search engines. This strategy includes premium subscriptions, business partnerships, and integration into platforms such as office software and smart devices. The goal is to make ChatGPT an essential part of daily life.
Altman’s Broader Message to Washington
Sam Altman’s recent trip to Washington was not just an opportunity to celebrate ChatGPT’s success. As concerns grow over data privacy, misinformation, and corporate control, OpenAI is working to position itself as both innovative and responsible. The company’s leadership continues to advocate for AI as a positive force that can increase productivity across sectors of the economy.
One part of Altman’s case is focused on economic impact. He argues that AI can help individuals and small businesses operate more efficiently and compete more effectively. This, in turn, can expand access to economic opportunities. Altman has described AI as becoming “too cheap to meter,” suggesting that the true value of these tools will come from widespread, seamless integration into daily activities.
This message could appeal to lawmakers interested in equity, innovation, and workforce adaptation. However, it also raises difficult questions. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in search, education, creative industries, and communication, society will need to grapple with who benefits from this shift and who might be left behind.
What It Means for Users and the Web
For everyday users, the transition from search engines to conversational AI may offer faster, more personalized responses. ChatGPT is capable of generating summaries, customizing content, and holding realistic interactions that resemble human conversation. These advantages come with some trade-offs. One concern is that users may encounter less variety in their sources of information. Another is that publishers who depend on referral traffic may see a decline in visibility.
For content creators, the changes could be even more disruptive. Traditional search engines still direct traffic to original creators. In contrast, AI models often reproduce information without clear attribution. This practice raises concerns about intellectual property and fair compensation. Without adequate protections in place, many creators could see their work used without recognition or return.
Beyond the question of content rights, the structure of the web itself could change. Search engines tend to distribute user traffic across many websites. AI platforms often contain the user experience within a single system. This centralization raises important issues about information diversity, transparency, and control over public knowledge.
Redesigning the Web, One Answer at a Time
Google still holds the lead in search, but ChatGPT represents the most serious challenge it has faced in decades. User behavior is changing, and AI tools are becoming more capable and more widely adopted. Companies on both sides are working quickly to define the next phase of how people access and interact with information.
At the moment, OpenAI is gaining momentum. Handling one sixth of Google’s daily search volume just two years after launching ChatGPT is a significant achievement. If this growth continues, and if AI becomes more deeply integrated into everyday platforms, tools like ChatGPT could soon become the primary way people navigate the digital world.