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What share could use a chatbot in year one, and who was left out?

Research question: What share of the world's people could reach an AI chatbot in its first year, and which languages and countries were left out?

The records do not give a share of the world's people who could reach an AI chatbot in their first year, and they contain no list of languages left out 3. They do state that OpenAI says ChatGPT is supported in 163 countries 1. Access is limited in countries such as China, Russia, Iran and parts of Africa 3, and Italy banned the service in March 2023 over personal data collection and the lack of age verification 2. The records also note that generative AI benefits are not equally accessible, especially in developing countries with limited access to cutting-edge technologies and inadequate infrastructure 6. The newest dated fact is from February 5, 2025, about twenty months before October 2026 5.

Checked 2026-10-20. Only documented and supported facts are used.
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Sources

[1] supported
ChatGPT is supported in 163 countries according to OpenAI.
"ChatGPT is currently supported in 163 countries according to OpenAI"
ChatGPT Statistics and User Numbers 2026 - OpenAI Chatbot
[2] supported
Italy banned ChatGPT in March 2023 over personal data collection and the lack of age verification, making it a country where the service was unavailable.
"Italy banned ChatGPT for collecting personal data and lacking age verification during registration for a system that can produce harmful content."
Timeline Of ChatGPT Updates & Key Events
[3] supported
ChatGPT access is limited in countries such as China, Russia, Iran and parts of Africa. The document does not give a share of the world's population that could reach the chatbot in its first year, or a list of languages left out.
"El acceso al servicio está limitado en países como China , Rusia , [ 10 ] Irán y partes de África . [ 11 ]"
ChatGPT
[4] supported
ChatGPT reached 100 million users faster than TikTok or Instagram, which took nine months and two and a half years respectively to reach that milestone.
"ChatGPT reached 100 million users faster than TikTok, which made the milestone in nine months, and Instagram, which made it in two and a half years."
Timeline Of ChatGPT Updates & Key Events
[5] supported
Search features from OpenAI's SearchGPT prototype were rolled into ChatGPT and made available to all regions, showing that regional availability expanded over time.
"Elements from this prototype were rolled into ChatGPT and made available to all regions on Feb. 5, 2025."
Timeline Of ChatGPT Updates & Key Events
[6] supported
The benefits of generative AI are not equally accessible to everyone, especially in developing countries, which face limited access to cutting-edge technologies and inadequate infrastructure.
"However, the benefits of generative artificial intelligence are not equally accessible to all, especially in developing countries, where limited access to cutting-edge technologies and inadequate infrastructure pose challenges."
Artificial intelligence in developing countries: The impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for development (2023)