What the Data Reveals People Ask ChatGPT

Understanding the User Base of ChatGPT

OpenAI recently published a comprehensive 62-page research paper that offers an in-depth look into how users interact with ChatGPT. This study, based on chat logs from 1.5 million users between May 2024 and June 2025, provides valuable insights into the demographics and usage patterns of this widely used AI tool.

One of the most notable findings is the gender distribution among users. Initially, around 80% of users had typically masculine names when ChatGPT first gained popularity. However, by June 2025, this trend reversed, with 52% of users having feminine names. This shift highlights the growing diversity within the user base.

In terms of age, the majority of users fall within the 18 to 25 age range, making up nearly half of the conversations analyzed. This indicates that younger individuals are significantly engaged with the platform. Additionally, the study suggests that ChatGPT’s usage is expanding more rapidly in lower-income countries compared to wealthier ones, although specific country data was not provided.

Common Uses of ChatGPT

The research also delves into what users are doing with ChatGPT. It found that personal use has surpassed work-related use. In June 2024, prompts were evenly split between work and personal uses, but by June 2025, nonwork-related interactions made up 73% of all conversations.

The most common category of interaction was "practical guidance," which accounted for 28.3% of all chats. This includes seeking how-to advice, help with schoolwork, and workout tips. Another significant category involved writing assistance, particularly editing or critiquing text, followed by personal communication such as emails and social media posts.

Programming-related queries also emerged as a notable use case, with approximately 4.2% of the sampled chats related to coding. This reflects the enthusiasm of the tech community in leveraging AI tools for software development.

Emerging Trends and Implications

As the use of ChatGPT evolves, so do the types of interactions. The category of "seeking information" has seen steady growth, becoming the second most popular use case by late June 2025. This trend suggests that ChatGPT could significantly impact online behavior, potentially challenging traditional search engines like Google.

The ability of AI tools to provide information directly may disrupt the existing business models that rely on search traffic. For instance, news publishers and online retailers have built their revenue streams around search engine traffic. As a result, companies like Google have started to prioritize their own AI-generated content in search results.

Additionally, the study noted that 2.1% of the chats in the "seeking information" category involved inquiries about purchasable products. This presents potential opportunities for monetization through ads or partnerships with retailers.

Personal Advice and Emotional Support

While some users seek practical help, others turn to ChatGPT for emotional support and personal advice. The study found that 1.9% of conversations were related to relationship advice, feelings, and personal reflections. Although OpenAI researchers described this as a fairly small use case, it raises important questions about the role of AI in providing emotional support.

There is growing concern about users developing harmful thoughts after prolonged interactions with chatbots. The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into the potential harms of chatbots acting as companions, prompting several companies, including OpenAI, to provide information about their products.

Recent updates to ChatGPT have faced backlash, with users expressing dissatisfaction over changes that made the AI seem overly flattering or sycophantic. In response, OpenAI reversed a decision to discontinue the GPT-4o version due to user protests about forming meaningful relationships with the AI.

Data Collection and Privacy

To gather this extensive data, OpenAI utilized its own AI technology to analyze the chats. The company claims this approach allows them to understand the content without compromising privacy, as human researchers did not review individual conversations.

Demographic data was sourced from user sign-up information, offering insights into the diverse backgrounds of ChatGPT's global audience. As the platform continues to evolve, these findings will be crucial in shaping future developments and ensuring responsible AI use.