The Era of AI: Generative Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Digital World and Changing User Habits

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technological novelty; it is establishing itself as a new pillar of the internet ecosystem. According to the latest Similarweb report – "2026 Generative AI Landscape Report", the sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, transitioning from a niche category to a core tool in the daily digital lives of billions of people.

Data shows that the average monthly number of visits to AI platforms reached 9.5 billion in the period from June 2025 to May 2026, representing a 70% increase compared to the previous year. The surge in mobile devices is particularly impressive, where the number of app downloads jumped by 81%, reaching 2.7 billion.

The End of ChatGPT's Monopoly?

Although ChatGPT remains the leader in terms of visit numbers, the market landscape is changing dynamically. OpenAI's share of web traffic is gradually decreasing as competitors such as Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Perplexity, and DeepSeek manage to build stable positions. The market is fragmenting, and users are beginning to choose tools based on their specific needs.

For example, Claude is establishing itself as the preferred partner for complex logical tasks and long dialogues, while Gemini and Copilot are used primarily for quick queries and executing specific tasks. Perplexity, for its part, occupies the niche of a specialized tool for research and investigative work.

Shift in Demographics and Work Patterns

One of the most significant changes is in the demographic profile of users. While the technology was initially dominated by "digital natives" (Gen Z and Millennials), today's user base is much more balanced. Half of the active users are now over the age of 35, indicating the mass adoption of AI into the professional and personal spheres of older age groups.

Artificial intelligence is no longer used solely for "conversation." Users are seeking it for:

• Software and systems development;
• Education and exam preparation;
• Psychological support and healthcare;
• Creative activities and content creation.

Google's Strategy: From Search Engine to AI Environment

Google is leading an aggressive strategy to transform its product. Through features like AI Overviews (summaries in search results), the company is not just adding AI to the search engine, but gradually turning it into a conversational interface. This fundamentally changes how people navigate the web – from traditional link searching to receiving direct, synthesized answers.

In conclusion, the generative AI market is in a stage of rapid evolution. The success of the next generation of platforms will depend on their ability to offer not just information, but deep engagement and specialized solutions for the increasingly diverse needs of a global audience.