# OpenAI data shows AI automates coding, monitoring over decision-making

Digest AI · Research · published 2026-09-26T07:03:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-data-shows-ai-automates-coding-monitoring-over-decision-making

## Summary

OpenAI shared internal data comparing how its researchers used AI tools between late January and early August. The company found AI-assisted output surged in coding and infrastructure tasks—198,200 tokens per researcher per day for research and infrastructure code, 158,800 for technical help and review, and 133,100 for launching, monitoring, and debugging. These tasks have clear, measurable outcomes, making them easier to automate.

Decision-making tasks saw far less automation: only 2,300 tokens per researcher per day for focus decisions, 1,500 for computing and staffing, and 200 for continuing or stopping work. Planning research and experiments generated 5,100 tokens daily. OpenAI notes AI excels at execution but struggles with judgment, prioritization, and compromise—skills still central to research decisions.

## Key points

- Researchers used AI 198,200 tokens/day for coding and infrastructure tasks in August vs. January
- Decision-making tasks averaged 2,300 tokens/day for focus decisions, 200 for stopping work
- OpenAI says AI automates measurable tasks but not judgment or prioritization

## Why it matters

The data highlights AI’s current strengths and limits: automating repetitive, objective tasks while leaving subjective decisions to humans.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI's own data shows AI automates execution, not decisions](https://thenews.com.pk/latest/1417748-openais-own-data-shows-ai-automates-execution-not-decisions) (thenews.com.pk, 2026-09-26)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI data shows AI automates coding, monitoring over decision-making", 26 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-data-shows-ai-automates-coding-monitoring-over-decision-making

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