How people actually use ChatGPT vs Claude - and what the differences tell us

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Most ChatGPT use is non-work, focused on writing tasks.
• Claude is used more for automation, especially coding.
• AI adoption is uneven, with wealthier regions benefiting first.

Two of the biggest AI companies have revealed how people use their models.

Also: The best AI chatbots of 2025

OpenAI released a research paper analyzing millions of ChatGPT conversations, while Anthropic published its third Economic Index report on Claude usage. Both have plenty of charts and stats, but also a few interesting details about who's using AI and why. Together, they provide a fascinating look at how AI is creeping into our work, school, and everyday life.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems ...