Far from just a time-saver, AI is slipping into the background of daily work life, advising, organizing, and even calming nerves before tough conversations.
A surprising number of full-time employees are now relying on it for tasks that have little to do with writing emails or analyzing data. In some cases, it's playing the role of coach, therapist, or even sounding board.
A recent survey of U.S. workers found that about a third had used AI in the past month for work-related purposes. That group leaned most heavily on tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. But what’s interesting isn’t just which tools they used, it’s how.
Plenty of people still use AI to get through their to-do list. Writing emails was one of the most common uses, along with coming up with ideas and generating content. People also relied on it to break down long documents or articles, pull together reports, and draft presentations. Resumes and cover letters made the list, too.
But that's only part of the picture.
Some workers now treat AI as a quiet partner for personal growth. About half said they used it to set goals or think through a tough problem. Others plugged it into financial planning or asked it to reflect on their performance. A good portion used it to interpret a manager's vague comment or process tension with a colleague. A few even turned to AI just to blow off steam, without fear of judgment.
In many cases, these tools are helping people gear up for awkward or high-stakes conversations. Roughly 44% used AI to get ready for a performance review. Some ran scenarios through it before having difficult talks with coworkers. Others leaned on it to script out what to say when asking for a raise or promotion. The numbers weren’t minor, more than one in five said AI helped them prepare to ask for better pay.
What’s notable is how personal that usage has become. It’s no longer just about editing or organizing, it’s about preparing, feeling steadier, getting in the right headspace. And for many, it seems to be working.
Nearly three in four said using AI gave their productivity a boost. A majority felt mentally better during the day when they used it. Some found it sharpened their confidence. Others used it to figure out where they needed to grow, or to map out their next steps. Around 27% said it even helped them move up in their jobs, whether through a raise, a promotion, or both.
The survey didn’t just surface stats. It showed something deeper. AI, for a portion of the workforce, has become more than just a convenience. It’s a kind of daily companion, useful when drafting a spreadsheet, but just as helpful when thinking through the politics of a tough conversation.
Only a third of people in the survey said they’d used AI recently, but the way they’re folding it into their routines tells a deeper story. Without much noise or attention, these tools are slipping into everyday habit, shaping how people organize their thoughts, make decisions, and approach their work.
Read next: When AI and Human Say the Same Thing, People Still Feel the Human More
A surprising number of full-time employees are now relying on it for tasks that have little to do with writing emails or analyzing data. In some cases, it's playing the role of coach, therapist, or even sounding board.
A recent survey of U.S. workers found that about a third had used AI in the past month for work-related purposes. That group leaned most heavily on tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. But what’s interesting isn’t just which tools they used, it’s how.
Plenty of people still use AI to get through their to-do list. Writing emails was one of the most common uses, along with coming up with ideas and generating content. People also relied on it to break down long documents or articles, pull together reports, and draft presentations. Resumes and cover letters made the list, too.
| How Workers Are Using AI (Task) | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Writing emails | 60% |
| Writing content | 58% |
| Brainstorming ideas | 58% |
| Summarizing articles/documents | 54% |
| Analyzing data or creating reports | 50% |
| Preparing meeting agendas or presentations | 40% |
| Drafting or editing resumes and cover letters | 38% |
But that's only part of the picture.
Some workers now treat AI as a quiet partner for personal growth. About half said they used it to set goals or think through a tough problem. Others plugged it into financial planning or asked it to reflect on their performance. A good portion used it to interpret a manager's vague comment or process tension with a colleague. A few even turned to AI just to blow off steam, without fear of judgment.
| Less Traditional Ways Workers Are Using AI | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Goal setting | 49% |
| Talk through a problem | 46% |
| Financial planning | 40% |
| Evaluate job performance | 33% |
| Better understand colleagues | 30% |
| Mental health support | 28% |
| Career coaching | 24% |
| Vent frustrations | 20% |
In many cases, these tools are helping people gear up for awkward or high-stakes conversations. Roughly 44% used AI to get ready for a performance review. Some ran scenarios through it before having difficult talks with coworkers. Others leaned on it to script out what to say when asking for a raise or promotion. The numbers weren’t minor, more than one in five said AI helped them prepare to ask for better pay.
| Conversations Workers Have Used AI To Prepare For | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A performance review | 44% |
| A difficult conversation with a manager/colleague | 39% |
| Asking for promotion | 27% |
| Asking for a raise | 22% |
What’s notable is how personal that usage has become. It’s no longer just about editing or organizing, it’s about preparing, feeling steadier, getting in the right headspace. And for many, it seems to be working.
Nearly three in four said using AI gave their productivity a boost. A majority felt mentally better during the day when they used it. Some found it sharpened their confidence. Others used it to figure out where they needed to grow, or to map out their next steps. Around 27% said it even helped them move up in their jobs, whether through a raise, a promotion, or both.
The survey didn’t just surface stats. It showed something deeper. AI, for a portion of the workforce, has become more than just a convenience. It’s a kind of daily companion, useful when drafting a spreadsheet, but just as helpful when thinking through the politics of a tough conversation.
Only a third of people in the survey said they’d used AI recently, but the way they’re folding it into their routines tells a deeper story. Without much noise or attention, these tools are slipping into everyday habit, shaping how people organize their thoughts, make decisions, and approach their work.
Read next: When AI and Human Say the Same Thing, People Still Feel the Human More
