Advertising is all about making you want something you don't need (e.g. for fear of being left behind). Would the want exist without silicon valley shoving it down people's throats by telling them to adapt or get left behind? I think the article uses "want" kind of loosely, because people do want to use AI and do, but I would guess that among AI users, subjective life satisfaction is is not always higher - especially if one feels compelled to do it.

I don't understand? Yeah advertising can be manipulative but you surely arent saying Silicon Valley is forcing 800 million people actively to use ChatGPT? Even if thats the case, why are we seeing so many competitors that are also seeing massive numbers of active users?

I think its much more complex to model a world where all these active users are being manipulated etc. A much simpler explanation is that the author is pandering to a certain section of the public and basing the entire world's view through that lens.

This is why its important to always be skeptical when journalists start speaking for "everyone" even in the face of data showing they are wrong.