Conversational AI Usage to Surge by 88% by 2030

Expansion within the conversational artificial intelligence sector is being propelled by rich media platforms, including Rich Communication Services (RCS) and Over-the-Top (OTT) applications like WhatsApp, according to a recent analysis by Juniper Research. The number of consumers interacting with messaging chatbots via these channels is projected to increase by 88% over the next five years, rising from nearly 1 billion in 2026 to approximately 1.9 billion by 2030.

This growth is attributed to the enhanced media capabilities of both RCS and OTT, which provide a compatible environment for AI applications. The integration of RCS support on iOS devices, announced in 2024, is serving as a primary catalyst for channel growth. This trend is expected to intensify over the coming five-year period, although significant revenue growth may be deferred until messaging traffic reaches billable scale.

“While the development of RCS has been historically slow, its role has strengthened following Apple’s support for the protocol. This has significantly expanded its addressable base – especially in the US,” noted Peter Boyland, Principal Analyst at Juniper Research.

Juniper Research anticipates that the volume of users engaging with RCS-based chatbots will increase more than eightfold over the next five years, growing from 64 million in 2026 to 519 million by 2030. Meanwhile, OTT platforms such as WhatsApp are expected to experience a more measured growth rate of 45%. This expansion is likely to accelerate as more operators integrate with Google’s RCS services and businesses adopt advanced rich media marketing tools.