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May 01, 2026
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ChatGPT Images 2.0 Sees Significant Traction in India, Mixed Global Response

AI Summary
ChatGPT Images 2.0 has seen significant traction in India, becoming the largest user base since its launch last week. However, global response has been mixed, with limited growth and sharp spikes in select emerging markets.

India Emerges as Largest User Base for ChatGPT Images 2.0

India has emerged as the largest user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0 since its launch last week, OpenAI said on Thursday. ChatGPT Images 2.0 is designed to handle more complex prompts and produce detailed visuals, including accurate text across multiple languages.

Global Response to ChatGPT Images 2.0

However, third-party data reviewed by TechCrunch points to a more measured global response, with limited overall growth alongside sharp spikes in select emerging markets. Data shared by Sensor Tower and Similarweb with TechCrunch suggests the rollout has led to a more mixed global response.

Key Statistics

  • ChatGPT's app downloads rose 11% week-over-week following the launch.
  • Daily active users and sessions were up only around 1%.
  • ChatGPT was downloaded about 5 million times in India during the launch week, compared with roughly 2 million in the U.S.
  • Some emerging markets saw sharper spikes in ChatGPT's app downloads, with increases of up to 79% week-over-week during the rollout period.

India's User Base and Engagement

In India, the early trends suggest ChatGPT Images 2.0 is largely being used as a form of self-expression. Rather than purely functional outputs, users are creating studio-style portraits from everyday photos, social media-ready images, and imaginative visuals that place themselves at the center.

Future Outlook

The early patterns also highlight how AI image tools are being adopted differently across markets. With the new ChatGPT Images release, OpenAI is pushing further with improvements such as better rendering of non-Latin text, including Hindi and Bengali, and new 'thinking' capabilities that allow it to refine outputs and generate multiple variations from a single prompt.