Is Interest in AI Waning?

Is the Novelty of Generative AI Wearing Off? 🤖⏳

In light of recent data analysis by Rand Fishkin and the team at Datos, questions around the staying power of generative AI—particularly ChatGPT—are increasingly relevant. “We Analyzed Millions of ChatGPT User Sessions: Visits are Down 29% since May, Programming Assistance is 30% of Use” is the title that has us all talking. Is generative AI experiencing a downward trend, or are we witnessing a seasonal or situational ebb in usage? Fishkin outlines two primary theories to explain the 29% decline in OpenAI.com’s traffic since May:

Theory A: Regular/professional usage remains robust; only casual explorers are dwindling.

Theory B: School vacations could account for the decline, given the educational usage of generative AI.

However, the data suggests that both casual and regular users are showing declining numbers since May, and the decline among educational users seems an insufficient explanation, especially considering the fall has been ongoing since April.

Are we already jaded by the once mesmerising capabilities of AI? Are these technologies no longer shiny objects capturing our imagination, but tools to be selectively employed? Let’s not forget that technologies often undergo periods of hype followed by adjustment and stabilization. ChatGPT and generative AI as a whole still serve crucial functions—programming assistance alone accounts for 30% of usage!

So, what do you think? Is generative AI past its prime, or are we merely witnessing a market correction as users become more discerning in how they apply these tools?