From catch-up to contender: How Gemini is challenging ChatGPT

Jury is still out on who ultimately leads the AI era

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

FORTHE FIRST time since generative AI entered the mainstream, the race is no longer a one-horse sprint. Google’s Gemini has caught up with OpenAl’s ChatGPT on distribution, usage, and capability. Even as the gap narrows, however, the jury is still out on who ultimately leads the Al era.

ChatGPT had what every category-defining product dreams of: first-mover advantage, explosive adoption, and near-total mindshare. It didn’t just launch early; it became synonymous with Al itself. But with Gemini 3 and a rapidly expanding user base, Google has shifted the narrative from playing catch-up to posing a genuine challenge.