OpenAI Study Finds Most ChatGPT Conversations Are Personal, Only 24% Seek Information

Global research sheds light on how people actually use AI chatbots in 2025

OpenAI, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), has published a comprehensive study revealing how users engage with ChatGPT. The findings provide fresh insight into AI adoption, showing that personal conversations now outweigh work-related interactions.

📊 Key Findings from the Study

24% of messages are information-seeking: By mid-2025, nearly a quarter of ChatGPT messages were aimed at finding factual information. This share has grown compared to the previous year, but it remains far from the majority.

70% of usage is personal, not work-related: Only about 30% of conversations are tied to workplace productivity, while the rest focus on personal advice, casual queries, and creative tasks.

Top three categories dominate: Practical guidance, information seeking, and writing make up almost 80% of total usage.

Coding and personal reflection remain small: Technical programming queries account for only ~4% of messages, and personal reflections or relationship discussions are just ~2%.

📌 Why Personal Use Is Surging

The study shows a clear shift from professional to personal engagement with AI. In 2024, about 53% of ChatGPT messages were non-work related; by 2025, this had jumped to over 70%.

Experts say this highlights how AI has become part of daily life, not just a tool for businesses. People are turning to ChatGPT for:

Everyday problem-solving and life guidance

Educational support and quick learning

Creative writing, hobbies, and entertainment

Personal conversations and reflections

This evolution suggests AI chatbots are being embraced as digital companions as much as productivity aids.

🏢 What It Means for Businesses and Workers

While ChatGPT is widely used for drafting emails, summarizing documents, and brainstorming ideas, the decline in work-related share signals that companies may not be integrating AI as fast as consumers are in their personal lives.

Industry analysts believe organizations are still cautious about issues like data privacy, accuracy, and compliance. However, as AI models continue to improve, adoption in workplaces could accelerate.

🌍 A Global Shift in AI Adoption

The OpenAI–NBER research spans millions of conversations worldwide, giving one of the most detailed pictures yet of real-world AI use. The findings confirm that AI is no longer just a professional productivity booster—it’s becoming embedded in everyday routines, much like smartphones and search engines once did.

As more people rely on ChatGPT for advice, information, and entertainment, experts expect the lines between personal and professional use to blur even further.

📢 Conclusion

The study underscores a crucial transformation in digital behavior: AI tools like ChatGPT are no longer just for work—they are becoming part of personal life. With only 24% of messages seeking information and nearly 70% reflecting personal use, the report suggests that conversational AI is being woven into the fabric of daily human interaction.

As AI adoption continues to grow, this shift could redefine how technology supports not only productivity but also personal growth, learning, and creativity.