Consumer AI is still in its infancy: Despite rapid advancements, we are in the early adopter phase, with assumptions about AI's capabilities frequently being overturned.
AI video and vibe coding are breakout trends: New models and tools are reshaping the landscape, enabling both technical and non-technical users to create like never before.
Monetization favors niche, high-value tools: Apps with smaller, dedicated user bases often generate more revenue per user than mass-market products.
Consistency requires relentless innovation: The 16 companies that have appeared on every Gen AI 100 list demonstrate the need for continuous product evolution.
Retention and engagement are key: New entrants like DeepSeek show that even latecomers can achieve strong user retention with the right product focus.
1. Inside the Gen AI 100: Methodology Unveiled
Data-driven rankings: The Gen AI 100 list tracks the top 50 consumer AI products on web (by monthly visits via SimilarWeb) and mobile (by monthly active users via Sensor Tower).
Gen AI-first focus: Only products primarily powered by generative AI are included.
Revenue insights: For the first time, a top 50 by revenue was created, revealing different trends in monetization.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore : "So the top 50 on web, we use a data provider called SimilarWeb, which tracks every single website globally. And we essentially go down in descending order of how many visits they get each month."
Olivia Moore : "So the top 50 on web, we use a data provider called SimilarWeb, which tracks every single website globally. And we essentially go down in descending order of how many visits they get each month."
2. AI's Big Bang: Key Moments That Shaped Today
Pre-ChatGPT pioneers: Midjourney and Character AI launched before ChatGPT, laying early groundwork.
Cultural breakthroughs: The Balenciaga Pope image and BBL Drizzy song showcased AI’s creative potential.
DeepSeek’s disruption: Its rapid rise challenged assumptions about the dominance of established models like ChatGPT.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore: "Midjourney and Character AI both came out before ChatGPT, which I think a lot of people don't know."
Olivia Moore: "Midjourney and Character AI both came out before ChatGPT, which I think a lot of people don't know."
3. Early Adopters or Late Bloomers? The AI Debate
Still early days: Despite progress, the speakers argue we are in the early adopter phase of AI.
Assumptions overturned: Common beliefs about AI’s role in relationships and work delegation are being proven wrong.
Unpredictable future: AI’s potential applications remain highly uncertain, with surprises like DeepSeek reshaping the landscape.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore: "I think we're still very much in the early adopter phase."
"I think we're still very much in the early adopter phase."
4. Video and Coding: AI's New Playground
AI video takes off: Models like Hyluo, Kling, and Sora signal the arrival of high-quality AI-generated video.
Vibe coding democratizes creation: Tools like Cursor and Bolt empower non-technical users to build apps, signaling a shift in software development.
The Brink List: Highlights fast-growing companies just below the top 50, underscoring the field’s rapid evolution.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore: "We are finally on the verge of AI video starting to work, to really work."
"We are finally on the verge of AI video starting to work, to really work."
5. Show Me the Money: AI's Revenue Realities
Revenue vs. usage: Only 40% overlap between the top 50 by revenue and top 50 by usage.
Niche apps thrive: Prosumer tools like Speak and Otter generate high revenue per user despite smaller audiences.
Mobile monetization: The ecosystem rewards specialized, high-value products over mass-market scale.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore: "We found the apps that had smaller user bases out of this sample set were much more likely to be making significantly more money on a per user basis."
"We found the apps that had smaller user bases out of this sample set were much more likely to be making significantly more money on a per user basis."
6. Staying Power: What Consistent AI Players Teach Us
Remarkable consistency: 16 companies have appeared on all four Gen AI 100 lists.
ChatGPT’s resurgence: After a year of flat traffic, new models and features doubled its usage.
Retention lessons: Newcomers like DeepSeek achieve retention rates comparable to veterans, proving the value of product quality.
Key Quote: Olivia Moore: "There's now 16 companies on the web ranks who have made it every single time and have kept the street going, which is pretty remarkable."
"There's now 16 companies on the web ranks who have made it every single time and have kept the street going, which is pretty remarkable."