Gabe & Long: Study on ChatGPT usage

Key Takeaways:

• OpenAI conducted a study with the National Bureau of Economic Research of 1.5 million conversations, classified them and analyzed the development over time

• Chris Long (and Glenn Gabe) reported:

  • "The study classified conversation topics into 7 topical grouping and 24 different subtopics. The primary topics were Writing, Practical Guidance, Technical Help, Multimedia, Seeking Information, Self-Expression and Unknown."

  • "When breaking down conversations into work vs non-work, the study showed that 70% of conversations were actually non-work related. These queries have been increasing at a faster rate as well."

  • "Of these topics, Seeking Information is the one that's growing the most. It grew from 14% of usage in July 2024 to 24% of usage in July 2025. Interestingly, Writing is actually shrinking from 36% to 24% of usage."

  • "nearly half of all ChatGPT users are 18-25 (46%). Work related messages were more likely to come from older users."

Sources:

• https://x.com/chris_nectiv/status/1967931604967571859

• https://x.com/glenngabe/status/1967555593004020164

• https://openai.com/index/how-people-are-using-chatgpt/

• https://www.nber.org/papers/w34255