OpenAI Reports Surge in Workers Using ChatGPT to Perform Colleagues’ Tasks
OpenAI has disclosed that a growing number of employees across industries are using ChatGPT to complete work traditionally assigned to other people. The revelation, based on internal usage data and user surveys, indicates that AI tools are increasingly being deployed to shift job responsibilities rather than simply automate individual tasks. The trend raises questions about job displacement, skill redundancy, and the future of workplace collaboration.
The company’s analysis shows that ChatGPT is commonly used to draft reports, generate code, compose emails, and analyze data — tasks often performed by junior staff, administrative assistants, or specialized contractors. OpenAI’s findings suggest that the tool is not just augmenting existing roles but enabling workers to bypass the need for certain colleagues altogether.
Key Findings from OpenAI’s Data
- Task replacement is accelerating in knowledge-work sectors such as software development, marketing, and finance. Users report that ChatGPT handles up to 40% of the workload they previously delegated to others.
- Mid-level and senior employees are the primary adopters. They use the AI to absorb functions that would otherwise be performed by entry-level analysts, writers, or customer support agents.
- Cost savings are a major driver. Companies see ChatGPT as a cheaper alternative to hiring additional staff, especially for routine, repeatable tasks.
- Quality concerns persist. Users note that ChatGPT outputs often require heavy editing, reducing the net time saved. Still, the convenience outweighs the drawbacks for many.
“We are seeing a structural shift where ChatGPT becomes a ‘super-assistant’ that lets one person do the work of two or three,” an OpenAI product manager stated in the report. “The risk is that less visible roles get hollowed out before organizations realize the consequences.”
Why This Trend Matters
The implications extend beyond individual productivity. If ChatGPT systematically replaces the work of junior employees, the traditional career ladder could break. New hires might lose the tasks — and the learning opportunities — that build foundational skills. Meanwhile, companies may overestimate AI’s reliability and cut positions that still require human judgment, creativity, or emotional intelligence.
OpenAI’s own guidance warns against over-reliance. The company recommends that organizations use ChatGPT as a collaborative tool rather than a substitute for human workers. However, the data shows that many users ignore that advice.
The Response from Workers and Employers
Some employees openly admit to using ChatGPT to handle tasks assigned to colleagues who have been laid off or placed on reduced hours. In a survey cited by OpenAI, 34% of respondents said they had used the tool to perform work that previously belonged to a coworker who was no longer on the team.
Employers are divided. Some encourage ChatGPT use to cut costs and boost efficiency. Others are concerned about quality control, security risks, and the erosion of team dynamics. A few firms have banned the tool outright, fearing legal or compliance issues.
Broader Economic and Ethical Questions
- Who is accountable when ChatGPT makes an error in a task that was formerly a specialist’s responsibility?
- How do companies train the next generation of workers if entry-level tasks vanish?
- Should job descriptions be rewritten to explicitly include AI collaboration requirements?
Labor economists predict that the shift will not eliminate jobs entirely but will compress hierarchies. More work will be handled by fewer people, each supported by AI. Those who cannot or will not adopt ChatGPT may fall behind.
“The biggest winners will be workers who learn to leverage AI as an accelerator,” the OpenAI report concludes. “The biggest losers may be entire job categories that get ‘ChatGPT-ed out of existence.’”
What Comes Next
OpenAI plans to release more granular data in a forthcoming white paper. The company is also developing tools that help employers monitor ChatGPT usage patterns and assess workforce impacts. Critics argue that OpenAI has a conflict of interest: it profits from increased usage, yet warns of negative consequences.
For now, the trend is clear. ChatGPT is reshaping who does what at work — and sometimes, who gets to keep their job.
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