{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities","json":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities.md","slug":"openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities","headline":"OpenAI releases ChatGPT work usage data for 165 activities","summary":"OpenAI has released a new dataset called OpenAI Signals that analyzes how consumers use ChatGPT for work across nearly 100 countries. The data covers 165 specific work activities, known as Intermediate Work Activities (IWAs), and spans from the first quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026. By mapping user interactions to standardized O*NET categories, the release allows researchers to compare AI usage patterns with broader economic indicators and occupational data.\n\nThe analysis reveals significant variation in how different countries utilize the tool for professional tasks. Over time, work-related usage became less concentrated in a few common activities, suggesting that nations are specializing in different types of work. OpenAI notes that these differences may stem from variations in local job markets or access to AI tools. The dataset excludes enterprise messages and Codex usage, focusing solely on individual ChatGPT plans.\n\nTo ensure privacy, OpenAI states that researchers cannot access individual conversations. Instead, automated systems classify messages after removing identifying information. The published statistics are aggregated, with small group results withheld and statistical noise added to protect user anonymity. This release aims to provide a new evidence base for studying AI's role in the global economy.","keyPoints":["OpenAI released data on 165 work activities across nearly 100 countries.","The dataset covers quarterly usage from Q1 2025 through Q3 2026.","Data excludes enterprise messages and Codex use, focusing on individual plans."],"whyItMatters":"This dataset provides researchers with a standardized way to measure AI's economic impact by linking ChatGPT usage to specific occupational tasks, enabling cross-country comparisons and long-term trend analysis.","category":{"slug":"research","name":"Research","url":"https://digestai.news/category/research"},"entities":{"companies":["OpenAI"],"models":["ChatGPT"],"people":[]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-21T04:50:00Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-21T04:50:00Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":true,"sources":[{"outlet":"OpenAI","title":"ChatGPT’s expanding world of work","url":"https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-expanding-world-of-work","publishedAt":"2026-10-21T04:50:00Z","type":"primary","primary":true,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"OpenAI releases ChatGPT work usage data for 165 activities\", 21 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"OpenAI releases ChatGPT work usage data for 165 activities","datePublished":"2026-10-21T04:50:00Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-usage-data-for-165-activities"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}