At OpenAI, the people building ChatGPT are also finding unexpected ways to use it in their own lives. From organizing morning routines to preparing for conversations, the chatbot has gradually become a daily utility, even outside the lab.
The voice interface still has some rough edges, but for Turley, it serves a different purpose. Speaking ideas aloud helps sharpen them. It’s not about answers, but about reflection.
It’s not about replacing preparation, but shaping it. In his view, it works best when users already know what they want out of an exchange.
He admitted that parents have been raising children without AI forever, but added that having a second opinion, even a virtual one, helps him feel more prepared.
The latest podcast didn’t just cover tips. It revealed how the team’s relationship with the tool has evolved. Turley noted that more users, especially younger ones, are treating ChatGPT like a sounding board. People ask it questions they might hesitate to bring up elsewhere, career doubts, relationship concerns, daily decisions.
Chen said the memory feature plays a key role in how users are starting to rely on the tool. As it learns more over time, the model becomes easier to trust. Many people now expect it to remember patterns in how they work, what they prefer, or the tasks they return to. For Chen, that ongoing familiarity is what gives the tool its practical value and sense of reliability.
Notes: Image: DIW-Aigen. This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
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Turning Commutes into Planning Sessions
For Nick Turley, who leads product development for ChatGPT, the voice feature has become something of a routine. Most mornings, he talks out loud to ChatGPT while commuting. He doesn’t use it to look things up, but to sort through his own thoughts. By the time he gets to work, he often has a clearer idea of what needs attention.The voice interface still has some rough edges, but for Turley, it serves a different purpose. Speaking ideas aloud helps sharpen them. It’s not about answers, but about reflection.
Using AI to Navigate Meetings
Mark Chen, OpenAI’s chief research officer, turns to ChatGPT in the moments before meeting someone new. He feeds the model a few details about the other person and asks it to find common ground. It doesn’t just summarize bios, it suggests talking points. For Chen, that extra context often leads to a better first conversation.It’s not about replacing preparation, but shaping it. In his view, it works best when users already know what they want out of an exchange.
Getting Menu Help, No Typing Required
Andrew Mayne, who formerly worked on science communication at OpenAI, uses the tool when he’s out for a meal. Instead of scrolling through options, he takes a photo of the menu and asks ChatGPT to recommend something that fits his diet. For quick decisions, the image input saves time and avoids guesswork.- Also read: Inside ChatGPT: 11 Lesser-Known Facts That Shape the World’s Most Talked-About AI Chatbot
Quietly Useful, Not Flashy
CEO Sam Altman has described his own ChatGPT usage as routine. He’s mentioned using it to manage inbox overload, scan documents, and, more recently, to look up parenting advice. During an earlier podcast appearance, he said he often relies on it when trying to understand the stages of child development.He admitted that parents have been raising children without AI forever, but added that having a second opinion, even a virtual one, helps him feel more prepared.
The latest podcast didn’t just cover tips. It revealed how the team’s relationship with the tool has evolved. Turley noted that more users, especially younger ones, are treating ChatGPT like a sounding board. People ask it questions they might hesitate to bring up elsewhere, career doubts, relationship concerns, daily decisions.
Chen said the memory feature plays a key role in how users are starting to rely on the tool. As it learns more over time, the model becomes easier to trust. Many people now expect it to remember patterns in how they work, what they prefer, or the tasks they return to. For Chen, that ongoing familiarity is what gives the tool its practical value and sense of reliability.
Notes: Image: DIW-Aigen. This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Racist AI Videos Created With Google’s Veo 3 Spread on TikTok
