What people really use ChatGPT for, according to OpenAI

A new study from OpenAI and the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals how people use ChatGPT, Ars Technica reported, citing the «How People Use ChatGPT» report by the think tank.

The paper shows ChatGPT now serves 700 million users and handles 2.6 billion daily messages — up from 451 million a year ago. Despite surging adoption, long-term user activity has recently plateaued.

The data shows that ChatGPT’s audience is young and increasingly female: nearly half of users are between 18 and 25, and women now slightly outnumber men. Most activity is personal rather than professional, with 72% of messages unrelated to work. Writing help dominates — nearly a third of all chats — followed by information-seeking, which has doubled since mid-2024. Some users even turn to the AI for decision-making advice.

Coding, math, creative brainstorming and roleplay make up only a small share of conversations, despite their public popularity.

These findings replace speculation with data, offering clear insight into how ChatGPT influences users’ routines and interactions with AI across both professional and personal spheres.