Technologies
Most People Use ChatGPT for Personal Life, Not Work, According to a New OpenAI Study
More than 70% of all consumer ChatGPT messages are non-work-related.

When ChatGPT first launched in November 2022, parent company OpenAI pitched it as a productivity tool and a game-changer for delegating menial work tasks, such as responding to emails or writing memos. OpenAI just released a new paper looking into how hundreds of millions of people globally actually use ChatGPT, and the results show a striking shift in how people use it. What started as a work assistant is now a tool people use for their personal lives.
In mid-2024, nearly half of all conversations on ChatGPT were job-related. By mid-2025, that number had fallen to just over a quarter.
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That doesn’t mean people are using the chatbot less. ChatGPT has about 700 million weekly active users worldwide, sending more than 2.5 billion messages per day or about 29,000 messages per second, according to the report by the National Bureau of Economic Research and contributors from OpenAI, Duke University and Harvard University.
In short, more and more people are using the platform — just not for work-related queries.
Read also: OpenAI Wants You to Get a Certificate in ChatGPT and Find Your Next Job
The paper describes a shift away from asking ChatGPT to perform tasks, such as writing text, toward users asking it questions. For instance, «writing help comprised more than a third of usage last year. Now, it’s closer to a quarter.»
Meanwhile, «seeking information» has grown from 14% to 24% of all conversations, meaning people use ChatGPT more as a search engine replacement for information and guidance.
«Overall, our findings suggest that ChatGPT has a broad-based impact on the global economy,» the paper states. «The fact that non-work usage is increasing faster suggests that the welfare gains from generative AI usage could be substantial.»
(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
Who is driving this change
The OpenAI paper also looks into the demographics behind these inquiries:
- Gender: Early users skewed heavily male. In January 2024, only 37% of users had names that are typically considered feminine. As of July 2025, that group has grown to 52% of all users, meaning women (or those with feminine names) use the system at roughly equal or slightly higher rates than men.
- Age: Nearly half (46%) of ChatGPT users self-reported that they are between 18 and 25. This younger demographic favors personal queries, such as asking about hobbies or seeking advice, while older users are more likely to use ChatGPT for work-related tasks.
- Geography: ChatGPT usage is no longer concentrated in wealthier countries. The fastest growth is in lower-to-middle-income nations, where GDP per capita ranges roughly from $10,000 to $40,000, and smartphones are often the main gateway to the internet.
- Education: Users with college degrees or higher are more likely to use ChatGPT for professional tasks. For instance, 37% of messages are work-related for users with less than a bachelor’s degree, 46% are work-related for users with a bachelor’s degree, and 48% are work-related for those with some graduate education. Non-degree users still engage heavily, mostly using the chatbot for everyday questions and support.
- Occupation: The paper also found that users in highly paid professional and technical occupations are more likely to use ChatGPT for work.
Read also: OpenAI Adding Parental Controls to ChatGPT After Lawsuit Over Teen’s Death
Technologies
MacBook Pro May Be Finally Getting a Touchscreen
The OLED MacBook Pro reportedly will break new ground with late 2026 launch.
Get your swiping fingers ready. According to a reliable insider, Apple will introduce touchscreen capability to the MacBook Pro for the first time with the launch of the OLED MacBook Pro in late 2026.
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Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, posted on X that the cheaper MacBook, scheduled to go into production later this year, will not have a touchscreen. However, he said it’s probable that the model’s second generation, slated for production in 2027, could get a touchscreen.
A representative for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
After years of seeing how consumers use their iPads, Kuo believes that Apple realizes that «in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience.»
Read more: What exactly IS the best MacBook for you?
Apple has not confirmed the report. However, on Wednesday, Kuo listed numerous reports that have come true, including the iPhone Air specs, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the iPhone 17 Dynamic Island staying the same size.
What’s next for the MacBook?
It’s been nearly two decades since Apple introduced the first MacBook. CNET’s Scott Stein believes that the iPad and MacBook platforms will eventually merge.
YouTuber Jon Rettinger, who has 1.65M subscribers, agrees that the iPad and MacBook are «on a collision course with unity» and that consumers are always looking for the next level of interaction and form factors: in this case, a touchscreen.
But with the devices and their operating systems merging, Rettinger says a big question mark is what’s next for the iPadOS. «How will that continue to evolve?»
Technologies
New PS5 Update Lets DualSense Controllers Pair With Multiple Devices at the Same Time
A software update brings the controller pairing feature to all users and also adds a power-saving option for some games.
All you PlayStation 5 players can now pair your wireless DualSense controllers with up to four devices at a time and toggle among them.
For some time, you’ve been able to pair your DualSense controllers not just with PS5s and other PlayStation consoles, but also with PCs, Macs, smartphones and other Bluetooth devices. But that pairing could happen with only one device at a time; using a different device with a DualSense required pairing all over again.
That changes now, with system update 25.05-12.00.00. PS5 owners who download and install the update, which is now available, can pair their DualSense controllers with up to four different devices. The new feature also works with DualSense Edge controllers.
How to enable and use multidevice pairing on DualSense controllers
To enable the feature (which has been available to beta testers since June):
- Hold the PS button for 5 seconds and then hold one of the action buttons (triangle, circle, square or X) until the light bar and player indicator flash twice.
- Turn on Bluetooth pairing on your device and select the DualSense controller.
- Once pairing is done on the other device, the light bar and player indicator light should blink in one of four slots.
To use the feature once you’ve assigned other devices:
- Make sure the device you want to switch to is on and has Bluetooth enabled.
- Hold the PS button and the action button that was assigned (triangle, circle, square or X)for 3 seconds.
- The player indicator light (1-4) should flash according to which device pairing has been activated.
For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting, click here.
Other PS5 system updates
The PS5 system update also brings another new feature: Some games will support power saving, which reduces power consumption by scaling back game performance. You can enable or disable that for specific games by going to Settings > System > Power Saving > Use Power Saver.
In addition, Sony says, the update improves messages and usability on some system screens, as well as software performance and stability.
Technologies
Forget the iPhone 17, the 2025 Moto G Power Is on Sale for a Record-Low $250
This midrange Motorola is one of our favorite budget-friendly phones on the market, and right now you can snag one for $50 off the usual price.
There’s a lot of buzz about the iPhone 17, which hits shelves this Friday. But not everyone wants to spend $800 (or substantially more) on the latest Apple phone. Motorola has some great options for those looking for a more affordable alternative, and right now you can grab one for even less.
Amazon has knocked $50 off the 2025 Motorola Moto G Power, which drops the price to a record-low $250. It’s also on sale at Motorola, where you’ll get an extra $100 in credit if you’re trading in an old phone.
CNET’s mobile device experts named the Moto G Power as the best phone you can get for less than $300, with Mike Sorrentino calling it the «lowest-priced Motorola phone worth buying.» It’s not the most advanced model on the market, but can still has the hardware needed to «handle the basics without breaking the bank.»
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If features a vibrant 6.8-inch display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as an impressive 50-megapixel rear camera system that preforms surprisingly well in low light. Under the hood, it’s equipped with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a Mediatek Dimensity 8100 CPU, as well as a respectable 5,000-mAh battery. It also has a unique «RAM Boost» feature that converts a small amount of available storage into virtual RAM to temporarily boost performance. Plus, it supports 5G connectivity and has durable IP68 design so its resistant to water and dust.
MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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Why this deal matters
As one of our favorite affordable models, the Motorola Moto G Power is already a decent value at full price, and a bargain whenever you can pick it up for less — especially a record-low price. It features decent specs and hardware, as well as a fairly rugged design, making it well worth the money at just $250.
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