In Brief: Global engagement with generative AI apps is expected to more than double in the first half of 2026, with ChatGPT reaching one billion monthly active users and overall consumer spending on AI apps hitting record highs, according to Sensor Tower’s State of AI 2026 report.
-
Global Time Spent on Generative AI Apps Projected to Double in 2026, Sensor Tower Finds – Image Credit Unsplash
Sensor Tower’s State of AI 2026 report provides a detailed analysis of the rapid growth in generative AI app usage, consumer spending, and advertising. The report highlights that global time spent on generative AI apps is projected to reach 36 billion hours in the first half of 2026, up from 17.2 billion hours during the same period in 2025. This marks more than a twofold increase year over year.
ChatGPT’s Milestone and Market Dynamics
ChatGPT remains the leading AI assistant and became the fastest mobile app to reach one billion monthly active users in May 2026. This milestone was achieved in just three years, outpacing the growth rates of other major apps such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Despite this, the AI assistant market is showing signs of increased competition. ChatGPT, along with DeepSeek and Google Gemini, accounted for nearly 90% of total time spent on AI assistant apps in the first quarter of 2026.
However, ChatGPT’s dominance is declining. Its True Audience market share, which measures unique users across both mobile and web platforms, fell below 50% for the first time in March 2026. Competitors like Google Gemini and Claude are gaining ground, with Claude’s True Audience share in the United States more than tripling, driven by a strong web presence.
Consumer Spending and Monetization Trends
Consumer spending on AI apps is reaching new highs, largely due to a shift towards premium, utility-focused subscriptions. Global in-app purchase revenue from AI apps is expected to exceed $4 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 36% increase over the previous half-year period. Individual apps are also seeing higher revenues. For example, Claude’s average revenue per user (ARPU) on mobile in the United States increased from less than $0.50 in September 2025 to $2.76 in May 2026.
AI’s Expanding Role in Shopping and Advertising
The report notes that AI is increasingly influencing shopping behavior. Referrals from generative AI to shopping websites have grown across all major retail categories between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026. This trend is having a measurable impact on conversion rates. Amazon shoppers who use its AI assistant, Rufus, convert at nearly twice the rate of those who do not.
Advertising spend on AI-themed digital creatives in the United States also surged, reaching $1.3 billion between January and May 2026, a 48% increase year-over-year.
App Development and Web Engagement
AI features are becoming standard in app development. More than 200,000 apps now mention AI in their descriptions, and these apps are projected to reach approximately 10 billion downloads in the first half of 2026, a 25% year-over-year increase. Web engagement with generative AI platforms is also rising, with such websites generating over 67 billion visits and about 23 billion hours of engagement in the first quarter of 2026.
Key Findings
– Global time spent on generative AI apps is projected to more than double year-over-year.
– ChatGPT became the fastest app to reach one billion monthly active users.
– Consumer spending on AI apps is expected to surpass $4 billion in the first half of 2026.
– AI-driven referrals and advertising are reshaping shopping and marketing strategies.
– The number of apps featuring AI and overall web engagement with AI platforms continue to grow rapidly.
