OpenAI says more workers are using ChatGPT to do other people's jobs

2026-07-27 · Source: The Decoder · Field: Business & Management — Entrepreneurship & Start-ups, Human Resources & Workforce Development, Marketing, Branding & Advertising · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

OpenAI's analysis of over 800,000 work-related ChatGPT messages reveals a significant trend called "task crossover," where 43.5 percent of job-specific queries involved tasks typically performed by another profession. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in marketing and engineering, with users handling tasks like contract reviews, data analysis, and website troubleshooting that were once exclusive to specialists. The effect is stronger at smaller companies, which often lack dedicated specialist teams. OpenAI interprets this usage data as an early indicator of shifting job profiles, suggesting that the nature of work is evolving even before formal job titles or descriptions are updated. The company classified tasks using the U.S. occupational database O*NET, excluding common activities like writing or summarizing.

Key takeaway

For small business owners or team leads optimizing resource allocation, recognize that AI tools like ChatGPT are enabling non-specialists to competently handle tasks traditionally requiring dedicated experts. You should explore integrating AI for cross-functional task execution, particularly in areas like marketing and engineering, to enhance team versatility and efficiency without immediately hiring new specialists. This proactive approach can help your organization adapt to evolving job profiles and maximize existing talent.

Key insights

ChatGPT users increasingly perform tasks outside their primary profession, indicating evolving job roles.

Principles

• AI facilitates "task crossover" across professions.
• Smaller companies show higher AI-driven task diversification.
• Job profiles are shifting before formal descriptions.

Method

OpenAI analyzed over 800,000 work-related ChatGPT messages, classifying job-specific queries using the U.S. O*NET occupational database to identify cross-professional task execution.

In practice

• Use ChatGPT for basic contract reviews.
• Apply AI for initial data analysis.
• Troubleshoot websites with AI assistance.

Topics

• ChatGPT
• Task Crossover
• AI in Business
• Job Redefinition
• Workforce Transformation
• Small Business AI

Best for: Executive, Consultant, Entrepreneur, HR Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Decoder.