Codex from 0 to 10M Users: Building ChatGPT Work — Akshay Nathan, OpenAI
Quick Answer
OpenAI's Codex and ChatGPT Work have surged to over 10 million users within two weeks of launch, highlighting a shift towards knowledge work as Codex expands beyond coding to enhance productivity across various domains.
Quick Take
The integration of AI agents allows users to streamline tasks traditionally scattered across different tools, marking a significant evolution in how knowledge work is approached.
Key Points
- Codex's user base has grown over 10x since January 2026.
- Knowledge workers now represent 20% of Codex's users, growing 3x faster than developers.
- ChatGPT Work enables users to collaborate with AI agents across various work primitives.
- OpenAI aims to merge experiences of Codex and ChatGPT Work for broader usability.
- AI is changing product development by emphasizing generalist skills and creative input.
DeepSignal Analysis
What happened
OpenAI's Codex and ChatGPT Work have rapidly gained over 10 million users within two weeks of their launch on July 9, 2026. This surge indicates a significant shift in user demographics, with knowledge workers increasingly adopting these tools for productivity beyond traditional coding tasks.
Key evidence
- As of July 21, 2026, OpenAI reported that Codex and ChatGPT Work reached a combined user base of 10 million, highlighting a rapid adoption rate.
- Knowledge workers now represent approximately 20% of Codex's user base, growing more than three times faster than developers, indicating a shift in usage patterns.
- Codex's weekly active users surpassed 5 million in June 2026, with users leveraging it for tasks in research, analysis, and content creation, not just coding.
Why it matters
The rapid growth of Codex and ChatGPT Work suggests a transformative moment in how productivity tools are utilized across various sectors. The integration of AI agents allows users to streamline workflows that were previously fragmented across multiple applications, potentially redefining knowledge work and enhancing efficiency.
What to watch
Source Excerpt
OpenAI's core product engineering lead on how they are building ChatGPT Work to make AGI accessible to all of humanity: Sites, OpenClaw, Memory, Subagents, Finance, No-Code and advice.
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