Google’s Gemini AI platform is experiencing rapid growth, reaching , over 750 million monthly active users, according to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. This figure represents an increase of roughly 100 million users since the company’s third-quarter earnings report, and coincides with the release of Gemini 3.
The adoption rate of Gemini 3 has been particularly noteworthy. Pichai stated that it has seen “the fastest adoption of any model in our history,” signaling a significant turnaround for Google’s AI efforts. This success is particularly important given the company’s previous struggles with AI image generation and a broader need to regain momentum in the competitive AI landscape.
The positive reception of Gemini 3 appears to have shifted the dynamics of the AI race. AI benchmarking firm LMArena’s cofounder Wei-Lin Chiang described the release as “more than a leaderboard shuffle,” indicating a substantial leap in performance. Even Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, previously a proponent of ChatGPT, publicly acknowledged Gemini’s capabilities.
This shift in momentum has reportedly caused disruption at OpenAI, with leadership declaring a “code red” situation in response to Gemini 3’s success. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a key partner of OpenAI, also reportedly expressed concerns about the increased competition from Google. The competitive pressure is evident in Google’s plans to double its capital expenditures in 2026, with the majority of investment directed towards AI development.
Despite Gemini’s impressive growth, it still trails behind ChatGPT in terms of overall user base. While Gemini has surpassed 750 million monthly active users, a December report indicated that ChatGPT was nearing 900 million weekly active users. This suggests that ChatGPT maintains a significant lead, though Gemini is rapidly closing the gap.
Google’s resurgence in AI is not solely attributable to Gemini 3. The launch of Nano Banana Pro, an updated image generation model, has also contributed to the positive momentum. These launches are seen as crucial in repairing Google’s AI reputation following the problematic launch of its initial Gemini image generation capabilities in early 2024.
Looking ahead, Google is planning to integrate Gemini into a wider range of products and services. Apple has selected Gemini to power the AI revamp of Siri, scheduled for release later in . Samsung also announced plans to double the number of its mobile devices powered by Gemini, aiming for 800 million units in . Google intends to enhance Gemini’s functionality with integrated checkout experiences, making the platform more “shoppable.”
While Google is focused on expanding Gemini’s capabilities, the company is also considering the potential for advertising within the platform. Google’s chief business officer, Philipp Schindler, acknowledged that ads are a key component of scaling products to reach a large user base, but emphasized that the company is not rushing into implementation. “Ads have always been part of scaling products to reach billions of people,” Schindler said, “But as we’ve said, we’re not rushing anything here.”
The success of Gemini 3 and the broader strategy to invest heavily in AI represent a significant shift for Google. After a period of perceived setbacks, the company is now positioned as a major contender in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The company’s commitment to “relentless innovation” suggests that further advancements and integrations are likely in the coming months and years.
