In the fast-evolving AI landscape, Anthropic is gradually strengthening its position in South Korea, where the generative AI market is increasingly being driven by enterprise spending rather than individual users. In a notable development, Anthropic’s Claude surpassed ChatGPT in total payment volume in March 2026, marking a significant change in market dynamics.
Data shows Claude recorded 49.5 billion won in payments during the month, slightly ahead of ChatGPT’s 47.2 billion won, while Google Gemini followed at a distance. The shift is particularly striking given that Claude had been far behind earlier this year, indicating a sharp rise in demand within a short period.
Industry observers say the surge is largely driven by corporate adoption. A significant portion of Claude’s revenue is now coming from business users, who tend to spend more on advanced subscription tiers. Companies are increasingly relying on AI tools for tasks such as document creation, coding, and data analysis, making them a core part of daily operations.
The trend reflects a broader change in how generative AI is being used, with businesses prioritising productivity gains over cost. Higher spending per user and stronger retention rates are helping platforms like Claude build a more stable revenue base.
The overall market is also expanding quickly. Generative AI payments in South Korea are expected to grow sharply this year, supported by a surge in enterprise demand. However, domestic AI firms continue to trail global players in both revenue and user engagement, as international platforms benefit from wider ecosystem integration.
