Redazione RHC : 26 September 2025 08:04
ChatGPT usage has skyrocketed with the start of the new school year in the West, with token generation hitting record levels. According to OpenRouter , the popular chatbot OpenAI processed 78.3 billion tokens on September 18, the highest level since the summer crash.
In June 2025, when most schools were on holiday, average daily usage dropped to 36.7 billion tokens. By comparison, in May 2025, when exams and finals were held, the average was close to 80 billion per day.
OpenRouter statistics, which track the activity of 2.5 million users, show how patterns vary dramatically depending on the academic calendar. Although the data reflects a single platform, it is actively used by researchers and investors to analyze the dynamics of LLM adoption.
As Futurism points out, studies, including one from Rutgers University, have already confirmed a strong correlation between ChatGPT’s popularity and the educational process. This is easily observed by looking at OpenRouter’s interactive graphics .
Activity steadily declines during spring and summer holidays, but increases with the start of school. Therefore, students make up a significant portion of ChatGPT’s audience.
Among the models tracked by OpenRouter, ChatGPT 4.1 Mini leads the way, with 26.9 billion tokens mined on September 18. The new GPT-5 saw 18.7 billion tokens mined on the same day. Other versions, such as GPT-40 Mini and GPT-5 Mini, also made significant contributions.
These data confirm that artificial intelligence tools are increasingly used in schools. Students use the OpenAI chatbot to write, search for information, and support learning. It’s not just the risks associated with cheating. Many educators believe it’s helpful to teach students how to interact with these systems and use them responsibly.
Like any new technology, artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into the daily lives of young people. The debate has already gone beyond the question of whether ChatGPT should be used or not. The key question now is how to properly integrate it into the educational process, so that AI complements learning rather than replacing it.
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