The most interesting findings from a16z's new report
ChatGPT remains the undisputed leader. 900 million active weekly users. That's over 10% of the world's population. Gemini and Claude are growing faster in percentage terms (Claude subscriptions +200% YoY, Gemini +258%), but are still far behind in absolute numbers.
Also interesting is the strategic divergence of platforms. ChatGPT is building a super app: 220 connectors, ads, shopping via Expedia and Instacart, soon "Sign in with ChatGPT." Claude is betting on power users: financial terminals, developer infrastructure, MCP ecosystem. a16z compares this to the iOS vs Android war.
About Russia. a16z notes the formation of a "third pole" in the AI market. Sanctions cut access to Western tools — over two years, local products filled the vacuum. Yandex Browser with Alice — 71M MAU, top 10 mobile AI products worldwide. Sber's GigaChat entered the top 50 by web for the first time. Russia is the second market for DeepSeek penetration after China (7.1% of traffic).
P.S. Also fun that the US, where most AI products were built, ranks only 20th in per-capita adoption. Singapore, UAE, Hong Kong, and South Korea lead.