OpenAI releases global data on chatgpt's role in work

OpenAI has released new data detailing how ChatGPT is used for work across nearly 100 countries. The data, part of the OpenAI Signals initiative, covers 165 work activities and is organized into categories known as Intermediate Work Activities (IWAs). The dataset spans from the first quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026, offering quarterly insights into how people use ChatGPT for tasks such as preparing instructional materials, developing marketing content, and analyzing business data. The data connects ChatGPT usage to IWAs, which are standardized categories of tasks used across occupations. Researchers can use this information to compare ChatGPT use with other economic indicators and explore variations in work-related activities across countries. In Q3 2026, the ten most common activities accounted for an average of 51.1% of classified work messages, down from 56.0% in Q1 2025. The data also highlights differences between ChatGPT usage and actual work performed in the U.S. economy, with about 43% of U.S. employment-weighted tasks falling into categories not represented in the original sample.