ChatGPT study tracks work across occupations

OpenAI published an analysis of more than 1.5 million work-related ChatGPT messages collected between April and July 2026. The study examined how people use the system for tasks associated with different occupations, including work outside their own professional roles.

Among roughly 6,200 workers observed consistently over the period, recurring tasks spanning occupational boundaries increased from 13.1 percent to 25.9 percent of occupation-specific AI activity. People approaching unfamiliar work more often requested examples, background information and checks, while those working within their own field more often sought direct help with execution.

The findings describe patterns in conversations rather than independently measured workplace outcomes. They suggest users are exploring a broader range of tasks, but do not establish that the work was completed successfully or that productivity, qualifications or employment changed.