21 November, 2025

How are we really using generative AI in our daily lives? A recent analysis by The Washington Post looked at 47,000 ChatGPT conversations and found some interesting results.

While 35% of interactions focus on seeking specific information, something search engines have been doing for years (arguably still with better results than ChatGPT), many users also turn to AI as a companion, sharing personal stories and asking for advice. This mix of fact-finding and emotional connection reveals a deeper pattern: people want both practical help and human-like support from AI.

ChatGPT was mainly introduced as a productivity tool for coding, writing, and problem-solving. But it has quickly become a kind of “popular therapist” for millions seeking emotional comfort and companionship (raising alarm bells in the process).  

This pattern, of technology being used differently than expected, is not new. When cell phones first came onto the scene, they imposed a strict limit on the length of text messages because experts assumed people would mainly use phones for calls and only send very short texts. But texting quickly became the most popular way to communicate, changing habits in a way no one predicted.  

Technology often becomes what people really need it to be, not just what it was designed for. Our use of AI, whether searching out facts, prompting creativity, or seeking comfort, reflects our deeper needs, especially since no guide was given on how to use this new tool. And in this way, Generative AI provides us with a large-scale social research study.  

AI reflects us back, unfiltered, showing our questions, needs, and vulnerabilities. We’ll be fascinated to watch what this tells us about ourselves as the technology rolls out and the userbase continues to expand. 

By Emma Alajarin