In this blog post, we examine why there are significant differences in the level of utilization among people who use the same AI, and how this gap affects individual and national competitiveness.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has released shocking analysis results. It reveals that while people pay the same amount and use the same service, some are utilizing seven times more features than others. Differences between countries reached up to threefold. This means that while AI technology is advancing rapidly, most people are actually using only a fraction of its capabilities. According to the report, OpenAI refers to this phenomenon as the “capability gap” and warns that if it is not addressed, the benefits of the AI era may go to only a select few.
AI capabilities are doubling approximately every seven months. In 2022, ChatGPT could perform tasks that took an expert about one minute to complete, but it can now handle complex tasks that take over 30 minutes. Despite this, most users still limit themselves to simple questions. According to OpenAI’s survey, the top 5% of “power users” on the monthly plan costing around 20,000 won utilize advanced features seven times more frequently than the average user. Here, “advanced features” refer to the ability to analyze and solve complex problems, going beyond simple question-and-answer interactions. Even more striking is the usage level among OpenAI employees, who utilized advanced features a staggering 15 times more than the general public. OpenAI emphasized that this disparity is not a matter of “whether one can use AI,” but rather “how one utilizes AI.”
The gap was also pronounced across countries. A comparison of over 70 countries revealed that leading nations utilized advanced features up to three times more per capita than lagging ones. The United States and India had the largest user bases, while Singapore and the Netherlands had the highest utilization rates relative to their populations. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Vietnam and Pakistan ranked among the world’s top performers in the use of cutting-edge features such as “agent tools.” This demonstrates that AI adoption capabilities do not necessarily correlate with economic levels. Furthermore, the largest gaps between countries were observed in the field of coding, with Singapore asking more than three times as many related questions as the average country. In contrast, there were no significant differences between countries in relatively simple functions such as information retrieval or image generation. Leading countries also used advanced features such as data analysis, app integration, and automation two to four times more frequently than the average, with Vietnam showing nearly four times the average usage in data analysis.
To bridge this gap, OpenAI launched the “OpenAI for Countries” program in 2025. The program aims to support national governments in effectively disseminating AI to their citizens, with collaboration taking place across various fields such as education, healthcare, cybersecurity, disaster response, and startup support. Currently, 11 countries—including Argentina, Australia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, South Korea, the UAE, and the United Kingdom—are participating. These countries have a combined population of over 350 million and an economic output exceeding $15 trillion. Estonia has introduced ChatGPT to all middle and high schools nationwide, with over 60% of teachers using it weekly for lesson preparation and assessment, while Greece and Ireland are providing hands-on AI training and support to entrepreneurs and businesses.
The use of AI is also expanding in disaster response and healthcare. OpenAI is supporting government agencies in building AI-based security systems and is exploring a system to predict floods and droughts in collaboration with the Korea Water Resources Corporation. In the healthcare sector, the goal is to enhance patient understanding and improve medical efficiency by collaborating with hospitals based on “ChatGPT Health.” Additionally, Norway is building a hydroelectric-powered eco-friendly AI center, while South Korea plans to strengthen its AI infrastructure in partnership with Samsung and SK. The UAE is also pushing forward with the construction of the largest AI infrastructure in the Middle East.
OpenAI views AI as essential infrastructure, akin to electricity or the internet, and emphasizes that a nation’s competitiveness will depend on how well it leverages this technology. In fact, ChatGPT usage in Germany has increased fivefold over the past year, and in South Korea, more than 25 million people use AI every month. However, what matters now is not “usage volume” but “level of utilization.” While many users still limit themselves to simple queries, a small number of power users are actively leveraging advanced features to maximize productivity.
While South Korea possesses excellent internet infrastructure and a high level of education, systematic training for in-depth AI utilization is still lacking. Therefore, there is a need for nationwide educational initiatives and industry-specific, tailored AI training programs. Furthermore, the government and businesses must collaborate to expand AI applications in practical fields such as disaster response, healthcare, and education. Ultimately, competitiveness in the AI era stems not merely from knowing the technology, but from the ability to actually apply it.
