How workers are unlocking new ways of working

OpenAI says new economic research shows how workers are using AI to handle tasks outside their usual job roles and gradually add those tasks into regular workflows. The company analyzed more than 1.5 million workrelated ChatGPT messages from April to July 2026 and found that some crossoccupation use is recurring. Workers often return to tasks linked to other occupations, suggesting AI may be changing how work is divided even before job titles change. The report also found that people prompt AI differently depending on whether a task fits their role. For tasks outside their occupation, prompts were often shorter, while users were more likely to include examples, context, or requests to verify information. OpenAI says the findings highlight the importance of work design, not just access to AI tools, as organizations adapt to AI in the workplace.