How workers are unlocking new ways of working

OpenAI Economic Research has published findings on the evolving use of AI tools, specifically ChatGPT, in workplace settings. The analysis, which spans from April to July 2026, examines over 1.5 million messages exchanged by users, highlighting how workers are increasingly engaging in tasks that cross occupational boundaries.

The report indicates a notable increase in cross-occupation tasks, rising from 13.1% in April to 25.9% by July. This trend suggests that workers are not only utilizing AI for their primary roles but are also exploring functions typically associated with other occupations. Furthermore, the recurrence of these cross-occupation tasks among users who had previously engaged in them was recorded at 23.6%, compared to a significantly lower 8.4% recurrence rate among comparable workers who did not use these tasks before. This data underscores the potential of AI tools like ChatGPT to facilitate skill diversification and adaptability in the workforce.

Additionally, the report provides insights into the return rates for various tasks facilitated by ChatGPT. For instance, discussions regarding goods or services with customers had a return rate of 54%, while advertising or promotional writing achieved a 44% return rate. The creation of marketing materials and the explanation of financial information yielded return rates of 37% and 15%, respectively. On average, the next-month return rate across all cross-occupation tasks was 18.5%, indicating a sustained engagement with these activities over time.

The findings suggest that AI tools are not merely augmenting existing workflows but are actively reshaping how workers approach their tasks, leading to a more integrated and versatile work environment. The implications of this research could inform future strategies for workforce development and AI integration in various industries.