OpenAI and Anthropic have released detailed global usage reports revealing significant disparities in how their AI models are being adopted worldwide. The data exposes a growing economic divide, with AI usage heavily concentrated in wealthy nations and tech hubs, potentially contradicting OpenAI’s assertion that AI access should be treated as a “basic right.”
What the data reveals: The two companies’ AI models serve distinctly different purposes, reflecting varied user needs and capabilities.
- Computer and mathematical tasks, including coding assistance, dominate Claude’s usage at 36%, while accounting for less than 8% of ChatGPT usage.
- OpenAI’s models function primarily as a search engine replacement, with 18% of queries involving users seeking specific information.
- Teaching and writing assistance are common ChatGPT use cases that have been gaining popularity among Claude users since the start of the year.
The geographic divide: Usage patterns reveal stark concentrations in high-income regions and technology centers.
- The US dominates Claude usage, specifically in California, New York, and Virginia.
- Tech-focused countries like Israel and Singapore show strong uptake relative to their working-age populations.
- The concentration suggests AI could become an economic divider rather than an equalizing force.
What they’re saying: The companies offer different perspectives on AI accessibility and adoption patterns.
- “This widening adoption underscores our belief that access to AI should be treated as a basic right—a technology that people can access to unlock their potential and shape their own future,” OpenAI said in a blog post.
- Anthropic takes a more measured approach, noting that “it takes time for transformative technology to reach everyone, and AI is no different.”
Why this matters: The usage data provides the most comprehensive look yet at global AI adoption patterns, revealing potential challenges to equitable technology distribution. While OpenAI frames AI as a basic right, the actual usage patterns suggest significant barriers remain for broader global access, particularly in developing regions where the technology could potentially have the greatest transformative impact.
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