OpenAI Study Reveals How People Use ChatGPT

Among the key revelations from the National Bureau of Economic Research working paper is the significant surge in non-work-related ChatGPT interactions. These jumped to a substantial 73% in June 2025, compared to 53% the previous year, underscoring a shift in user behavior well beyond the typical productivity-driven workplace applications.

OpenAI Chief Economist Aaron Chatterji noted on LinkedIn that this trend suggests ChatGPT is becoming increasingly integrated into the diverse fabric of users’ daily lives. “We’re still learning how people use AI in the wild, but this trend gives us a glimpse into where the value is and how it’s shifting,” he stated. Importantly, this signals a move beyond mere task completion; ChatGPT is evolving into a companion for various aspects of everyday living.

The study, which draws on a massive privacy-preserving analysis of 1.5 million conversations, was co-authored by OpenAI’s Economic Research team and Harvard economist David Deming. While yet to be formally peer-reviewed, the findings provide invaluable insights into the evolving relationship between humans and AI.

Here are the key takeaways from this landmark study:

Researchers identified that the majority – approximately three-quarters – of ChatGPT conversations fall within three broad categories: practical guidance, information seeking, and writing. Practical guidance takes the lead, encompassing everything from tutoring and teaching to providing how-to advice and generating creative ideas, revealing a strong desire for AI-powered assistance in learning and problem-solving.

The distinction between workplace and personal use is significant. Writing activities dominate work-related interactions, accounting for 40% of messages in June. However, the study also indicates that users are not merely relying on ChatGPT to generate content from scratch; about two-thirds of writing-related messages involved requests for editing, critiquing, and translation of existing text. This highlights the AI’s utility in refining and optimizing existing work, rather than solely creating entirely new material.

The study further categorizes ChatGPT usage under the umbrella of “Asking, Doing, and Expressing.” As of July, “Asking” comprised approximately half of all messages. Researchers interpret this as evidence that users primarily value ChatGPT as an advisor, rather than simply a tool for task fulfillment. This speaks to the potential for AI to enhance decision-making and provide a sounding board for users navigating complex or uncertain situations.

Conversely, roughly 56% of work-related messages are categorized as “Doing,” signifying the use of ChatGPT to directly execute specific job tasks, primarily writing. This emphasis on writing underscores its pervasive role in white-collar professions, where strong written communication is highly valued. The findings echo the growing demand in the job market for talent capable of wielding advanced AI tools to boost productivity.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, discussions on AI’s potential impact on the workplace – particularly the potential for displacement of workers – have become increasingly frequent. However, the study’s findings suggest that consumer ChatGPT is primarily used to augment human judgment and enhance worker productivity, especially in knowledge-intensive roles, rather than outright replacing workers. The key is in how companies actively integrate and train their workforce around these AI technologies.

The demographic composition of ChatGPT users has also evolved, showcasing a trend towards greater universality in terms of gender and geography.

For example, in January 2024, only 37% of users with gender-ambiguous names were identified as female. However, by mid-2025, the gender gap had significantly narrowed, aligning more closely with general adult demographic data. This signals a broader acceptance and integration of AI tools across different gender identities, contributing to a more inclusive technological landscape.

ChatGPT’s accessibility has also increased across international boundaries, especially in low- and middle-income countries, reflecting a democratization of access to AI technology. This surge in adoption underscores the recognition of AI’s potential to bridge the digital divide and provide valuable tools to underserved populations.

As of May 2025, ChatGPT adoption growth rates in the lowest-income countries exceeded those in the highest-income countries by a factor of over four. This rapid growth in developing nations may be attributed to the increased digital literacy and penetration rate among the growing youth population in developing countries, and may result in a shift of labor-outsourcing trends.

Besides the various consumer-based paid tiers, ChatGPT maintains an enterprise product for businesses, API access and a software development agent called Codex. This multi-pronged strategy will allow OpenAI to become profitable, despite increasing competition.

While ChatGPT has experienced rapid growth in recent years, it’s encountering increasing competition from incumbents and startups alike, all vying for a slice of the AI pie.