Three years ago today, a significant shift took place in the technology landscape as OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, an AI chatbot designed to engage in human-like conversations. As someone deeply invested in technology and its practical applications, I’ve witnessed firsthand how tools like ChatGPT impact industries, businesses, and individual lives. From enabling businesses to provide faster customer support to creating a new way people interact with information, ChatGPT has grown into one of the most popular AI tools ever released.
Let’s take a closer look at what these past three years have revealed about ChatGPT’s role in society, its capacity to change business practices, and lessons for entrepreneurs curious about integrating AI into their workflows.
ChatGPT by the Numbers
Since its launch on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT amassed over 800 million weekly active users by late 2025, a figure that’s difficult to overlook. Such rapid adoption underscores how quickly it has become a go-to tool for various sectors, from education to customer service. Notably, Pew Research found that 14% of American adults had tried ChatGPT by mid-2023, and that number has only increased. This rapid scaling has put it in direct competition with search engines like Google, shifting the landscape of how people retrieve information.
For instance, millions of individuals have started to bypass traditional Google searches to instead ask ChatGPT their questions, whether it’s a “how-to” query or a detailed request for explanations of complex topics. This change poses a distinct challenge to other tech giants who have long enjoyed dominance on the web.
Five Ways ChatGPT Has Changed How We Work and Learn
ChatGPT isn’t just another AI tool, it has fundamentally reshaped day-to-day workflows. Here’s how businesses and individuals are using it:
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Customer Support Redefined
Providing fast answers is critical in customer service. Businesses have increasingly integrated ChatGPT into customer-facing tools, offering real-time help without the need for human intervention. Enterprises have saved time and resources while meeting customer expectations more efficiently with consistent, helpful replies. -
Streamlining Research Tasks
Instead of combing through pages of search results, users harness tools like ChatGPT to deliver tailored, concise answers. Students, journalists, and professionals use it to speed up secondary research, refine presentations, or brainstorm ideas quickly. -
Driving Content Creation
Content marketing remains at the heart of many businesses, and ChatGPT’s ability to draft emails, social media posts, and long-form articles has transformed the process. Marketers now spend less time micromanaging simple tasks, directing their focus to strategy. -
Programming for Everyone
Developers hail ChatGPT for debugging code, exploring new programming languages, and automating repetitive tasks. Meanwhile, it’s also introduced non-technical users to code generation, helping small businesses or solopreneurs establish their digital presence affordably. -
Uplifting Freelancers and Solopreneurs
For freelancers, especially writers, consultants, and analysts, it’s a must-have partner for creating compelling project outlines, conducting competitor analyses, and reviewing data trends. Its user-friendly nature reduces barriers for those less versed in technology.
A Guide for First-Time Entrepreneurs Using ChatGPT
If you’re an entrepreneur, the lure of ChatGPT’s capabilities can be tempting. Having personally used it across my ventures, here are some practical tips for making AI work for you without getting bogged down.
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Start Small, Scale Gradually
Use it for simple but time-consuming tasks such as writing client emails, generating captions for social media, or creating early drafts of business plans. Over time, you can experiment with advanced uses like market analysis or customer sentiment analysis. -
Combine AI with Human Insight
While ChatGPT is adept at generating ideas and surfacing insights, it isn’t perfect. Always review and refine AI-generated outputs to align with your business goals and voice. For example, I’ve found it incredibly helpful for brainstorming content ideas, but I ensure to infuse every final version with a personal touch. -
Invest in Effective Training
The quality of ChatGPT’s responses dramatically improves when you provide clear, specific prompts. Invest time in learning how to structure questions for optimal results, this is a skill that pays off rapidly. -
Protect Your Intellectual Property
Be cautious about sharing sensitive or proprietary information with AI. Focus on using ChatGPT for general or publicly known data. After working in fields like intellectual property protection, I know how critical this point is. -
Stay Informed
AI tools evolve quickly. By reading user feedback or participating in discussions on platforms like TechCrunch, you’ll understand new updates and plug-ins that elevate efficiency, such as workflow automation.
Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
While the possibilities with ChatGPT are vast, missteps here can lead to frustration or, worse, reputational harm. Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for:
- Treating AI Responses as Platinum Truth: It’s tempting to accept answers outright, but fact-checking remains your responsibility. Incorrect information creeps in, particularly on niche topics.
- Lack of Experimentation: Some think AI tools aren’t made for their line of work. The reality is the flexibility of ChatGPT lets you shape it into a tool specific to your needs, but only if you explore.
- Ignoring the Human Touch: ChatGPT speeds up workflows but replace your voice or branding at your peril. Personalization in communication is still crucial for customers to connect with your mission.
- Skimming Terms of Service: Many users skim over privacy and data-sharing clauses. While I’ve studied compliance, I always urge founders to understand what data is shared to avert potential IP risks.
What’s the Next Step for You?
Looking back over ChatGPT’s three years, the biggest lesson is clear: harnessing AI isn’t a luxury but an imperative for businesses aiming to remain competitive. While the market sees traditional AI reservations and discussions around control, jobs, or ethical dilemmas, we’re undeniably moving toward greater adoption.
How do I see its best use for you, a fellow entrepreneur or business owner? Adopt a learning mindset. Whether your focus lies in customer engagement, streamlined workflows, or building additional capabilities, there’s no reason to wait on implementing its solutions.
One thing is certain, AI tools will never replace an innovator’s vision, but they will help make that vision a reality faster, smarter, and at scale. Isn’t that exactly what we’re all aiming for?
FAQ
1. When was ChatGPT launched, and why is it significant?
ChatGPT was launched on November 30, 2022, by OpenAI. Its release marked a turning point in the technology landscape, introducing an AI chatbot capable of human-like conversations and becoming one of the most popular AI tools ever created. Read about the history of ChatGPT
2. How many users does ChatGPT have currently?
By late 2025, ChatGPT had reached 800 million weekly active users, emphasizing its widespread adoption across industries like education, customer service, and content creation. Learn more about ChatGPT's growth
3. How is ChatGPT impacting the way people search for information?
Millions of users now turn to ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines like Google for direct answers to their questions, presenting a challenge to conventional information retrieval methods. Explore ChatGPT's effect on search habits
4. How has ChatGPT transformed customer support?
Businesses are integrating ChatGPT into their customer-facing tools, enabling real-time assistance with consistent and efficient responses, significantly reducing the need for human intervention.
5. What role does ChatGPT play in content creation?
ChatGPT enhances content marketing by drafting emails, social media posts, and articles, allowing marketers to focus more on strategy rather than managing mundane tasks.
6. Can ChatGPT be used for programming tasks?
Yes, developers frequently use ChatGPT for debugging, exploring new languages, coding automation, and even helping non-technical users generate code for their businesses.
7. How are freelancers and entrepreneurs benefiting from ChatGPT?
Freelancers and solopreneurs use ChatGPT for competitor analysis, project planning, brainstorming, and managing data trends, making it an indispensable tool for scaling their work efficiently.
8. What are some key tips for entrepreneurs starting with ChatGPT?
Entrepreneurs should start by using ChatGPT for simple, repetitive tasks and gradually expand into advanced applications like market analysis. Additionally, they should combine AI with human insight to maintain personalization in their outputs.
9. What mistakes should users avoid when working with ChatGPT?
Users should avoid treating AI-generated outputs as absolute truth, neglecting customization, and skimming through terms of service that might expose sensitive data to risks.
10. How has ChatGPT influenced the economy and global workforce?
ChatGPT has triggered significant changes in industries, from increasing efficiency to raising concerns about job security and AI's broader implications for the job market. Read about ChatGPT's economic impact
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.