Three years after its quiet launch on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT has transformed the global technology landscape, influencing how millions engage with information, work, and daily digital tasks. Initially conceived as a conversational experiment, the platform has evolved into a widely adopted tool by consumers, businesses, and governments. However, its rapid ascent has also prompted scrutiny regarding safety and regulatory compliance.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a conversational artificial intelligence system rooted in large language models, which generates human-like text based on user prompts. While the free version remains popular, paid subscriptions offer faster and more advanced iterations, including the latest GPT-5 models. By late 2024, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman reported that ChatGPT had surpassed 800 million weekly active users, solidifying its status as the world’s most widely utilized AI assistant.
In 2025, OpenAI introduced significant updates enhancing ChatGPT’s functionality. One notable advancement was the launch of an AI-driven shopping assistant, enabling users to describe products or upload images for tailored recommendations. This marked OpenAI’s foray into e-commerce, an arena now filled with competitors such as Perplexity and various AI retail startups. Additionally, ChatGPT’s voice capabilities were integrated into the main interface, allowing seamless voice interactions without switching modes.
The rollout of GPT-5.1 brought two variants: Instant, designed for warm, conversational exchanges, and Thinking, tailored for intricate reasoning tasks. Furthermore, reports emerged about OpenAI’s plans for a social media platform, potentially positioning itself against established players like X, Instagram, and Threads, although the format—whether a standalone app or an integrated feature—remains unspecified. In a strategic move to penetrate its second-largest market, OpenAI also launched ChatGPT Go in India at ₹399 per month, providing access to advanced features at a lower cost.
Despite its success, ChatGPT has faced critical challenges. OpenAI recently disclosed an alarming trend: over one million weekly interactions involve users discussing severe mental health issues. This prompted the company to consult more than 170 mental health professionals to enhance its responses and guidance. The situation escalated following a lawsuit related to the death of a 16-year-old, which raised concerns over the AI’s role in sensitive matters like suicidal ideation. OpenAI denied liability, citing misuse of the system.
In response to growing scrutiny, OpenAI implemented parental controls to limit access to sensitive content and introduced features to block inappropriate interactions with minors. Enhanced safeguards were also established to escalate high-risk discussions, such as suicidal thoughts, to trusted adults or authorities. Altman highlighted the importance of user caution regarding confidentiality, stressing that conversations through the AI do not possess therapist-level privacy.
In addition to its internal challenges, OpenAI is entangled in legal disputes, including a lawsuit from xAI, founded by Elon Musk, which accuses Apple and OpenAI of anticompetitive practices related to the App Store. Moreover, the company has experienced significant leadership shifts, with the departure of co-founder Ilya Sutskever and CTO Mira Murati.
Users still encounter difficulties with ChatGPT, particularly in maintaining contextual coherence over extended conversations. While the model has established guardrails against generating biased or inappropriate content, it occasionally produces vague responses, necessitating user diligence in clarification. Users are advised to cross-verify information and remain aware of potential biases, particularly when engaging with sensitive topics.
As ChatGPT continues to evolve, its journey illustrates both remarkable innovation and substantial ethical considerations. The introduction of new models and safety mechanisms highlights OpenAI’s commitment to addressing challenges while expanding its global footprint. As it navigates through 2025, ChatGPT stands as both a transformative technology and a focal point of ongoing scrutiny.
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