This research was published early this week (September 2025). However, keep in mind that this data is sourced from May 2024 to July 2025 (pre-GPT-5). Although the data is from before GPT-5, the paper still reveals the fundamental principles of how to get elite ChatGPT

Context: The paper opens up by breaking down the rapid growth of ChatGPT, reaching 700M+ users (~10% of the entire global population).

Across these 700M+ global users, the areas in which GPT is being used most are highlighted: • Practical Guidance (28%) • Writing (23%) • Seeking Info (21%) • Technical help (7%) • Multimedia (6%) • Other/Unknown (4%)

We can divide these GPT use cases into two types of users: 1. Those who use AI as a task-completing/automation robot 2. Those who use AI as a thinking partner (significantly more efficient group)

The split for ChatGPT usage among these groups is nearly 50/50. 40% of users are prompting GPT as a task-completing/automation robot. The other 50% are using GPT as an active thinking partner assistant.

But what is the fundamental difference between these two major groups? Group 1 (task automation) sends prompts to ChatGPT for copy/paste outputs. Group 2 (thinking partner crowd) sends prompts to ChatGPT based on decisions they'll make for themselves.

This fundamental difference is further categorized into three types of AI prompts: 1. Asking 2. Doing 3. Expressing

Asking vs. Doing vs. Expressing (prompt examples):

Asking prompts are often sent when seeking information and guidance, versus Doing prompts being sent for automation tasks: (Expressing prompts are rarely ever sent)

All of the data above is important because a clear trend exists between these two groups and the three styles of prompts most used. The OpenAI team says that those using Asking prompts rank their ChatGPT satisfaction consistently higher than those who use Doing prompts.

In conclusion, to be a more efficient AI user, you need to focus on one thing: Using "Asking" style prompts to help you think through your own decisions instead of "Doing" style prompts, which do the work for you. The real leverage with AI is using it to enhance your thoughts.

Practical Tips for implementing Asking prompts: • Always end your prompts in a question • Prompt GPT to explain concepts back to you • Ask GPT to question you back

I hope you've found this OpenAI research thread helpful. If you have any questions about this research, leave them in the comments below, and I'll respond as best I can. For more long-form AI content (and video tutorials), follow me @aiedge_. Like/Repost the quote below💙

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@aiedge_ Smooth thanks man.

Here's the exact framework I use to get GPT-5 Agent Mode to complete any task for me. - Research - Vibe Coding - Writing Role → Context → Goal → Steps → Constraints → Feedback Loop