Source
How workers are unlocking new ways of working
OpenAI research reveals that workers use AI to perform tasks outside their typical occupations and frequently integrate these cross-occupation activities into their regular workflows.
Why it matters
This suggests AI allows employees to expand their professional capabilities and take on new responsibilities without needing formal job title changes.
The big picture
This research complements previous reports on AI reshaping global work, such as Google's AI & Economy ATLAS, by detailing specific task-level shifts in worker behavior.
The details
The study analyzed over 1.5 million ChatGPT messages between April and July 2026. Researchers found that workers are less likely to ask for explanations or how-to guidance when performing tasks outside their usual roles, and the average next-month return rate for cross-occupation tasks was 18.5%.
What's next
OpenAI will continue studying these shifts to better understand how AI is changing the division of labor for businesses and workers.
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OpenAI owns OpenAI Economic Research
Author: OpenAI
OpenAI Economic Research is related to AI
New OpenAI Economic Research shows how workers use AI
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