ChatGPT's user base expanded significantly in early 2026. The largest increase was seen among users aged 35 and older, indicating a shift towards wider adoption of AI technology beyond younger demographics. Additionally, the platform reported more balanced gender usage, suggesting that ChatGPT is becoming increasingly mainstream. --- Why it matters: This growth matters to researchers because it indicates a broader acceptance of AI technology by different age groups, which can inform the development of future AI systems and applications. Source: https://openai.com/signals/research/2026q1-update