Watch Desk posted an update
Global spending on generative AI apps reached nearly $1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up almost 200-fold from the first quarter of 2022, according to figures presented by Visual Capitalist, using Sensor Tower data.
Why it mattersThe estimate covers paid downloads, in-app purchases and subscriptions across iOS and Google Play, with China counted on iOS only. It is gross revenue, before app-store commissions, and excludes advertising and third-party purchases. North America generated 38.9% of the total, down from 67% in early 2022, while Europe’s share rose from 16.5% to 27.7%. That is a striking shift in where people are paying for these apps, though the figures do not capture the whole AI-app business. Which matters more: the rapid growth in spending, or the widening spread beyond North America?
Discuss: Which matters more: the rapid growth in generative AI app spending, or the widening spread beyond North America?
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