Every third Russian user is ready to pay for neural networks

According to the results of a survey* conducted by ROMIR, 41% of residents of cities with a million inhabitants have used generative neural networks at least once. 80% of them believe that the technology simplifies routine tasks and helps save time. 71% of neural network users believe that companies can charge for using services based on neural networks, and about half of respondents (49%) believe that such services will become paid in the future. However, 28% of users will continue to use neural network-based services even if they become paid. 

Awareness, use and purpose

77% of neural network users use neural networks at least a few times a month, and one in ten use them daily. Nearly two-thirds of users (60%) plan to use neural networks more frequently in the coming year. The most well-known neural networks among users are YandexGPT, ChatGPT, YandexART, and Kandinsky. 

The most famous neural networks among users

Data source: ROMIR, February 2024

Among the most popular features that users apply: generating videos, images, answers to questions, texts and ideas. At the same time, there is a tendency that the more often a user turns to generative neural network, the less often they use it for entertainment and more often - for work, self-education, solving household tasks and other needs.

Willingness to pay for neural networks

Nearly one in four users of generative neural networks (23%) have used or are using paid features. Of these, 34% of users are paying or have previously paid up to 300 rubles per month. One third of users (34%) pay or have paid for using ChatGPT, and 14% - for using Midjourney. Moreover, among neural network users aged 18 to 25, 60% of respondents pay or have paid for using ChatGPT. Two thirds of respondents (65%), who admit that they will pay for the use of neural networks in the future, are ready to spend up to 300 rubles monthly.

More than half of respondents (58%) admit that services based on generative neural networks may display advertising. The vast majority (82%) of respondents do not rule out that they would continue to use such services if adverts appeared in them.

"Now we see that services based on generative neural networks are gaining more and more functionality. Their scope of application ranges from entertainment to solving complex work tasks. Our research has shown that those who use the technology realise its potential and complexity. In this regard, users agree to pay extra for services based on neural networks in order to get access to wider functionality," says Margarita Abramkina, ROMIR Client Relations Director.

*The survey was conducted in February 2024 to identify the main trends in the use of generative neural networks. The online survey involved 1,000 people aged 18 to 55 living in Russian cities with a million inhabitants. Quotas by gender, age, income, and education were observed in the sample.