The Google Trends data shows worldwide searches for the term “AI in business” has increased dramatically over the past 12 months, starting at a low interest score of 21 on 10-16 July 2022, before soaring up to peak interest on 25 June-1 July 2023. 

This recent peak in search interest is understandable considering surveys suggest ChatGPT has been picked up by almost half of US companies since its release last November.

Its rising popularity has even encouraged a variety of business applications such as project management software and website builders to launch their own AI tools.

To discover exactly how ChatGPT is being used in the workplace, Tech.co asked businesses across a variety of industries how they’re utilizing OpenAI’s disruptive app. 

Here are 10 ways businesses are currently using ChatGPT:

• 1. For customer service inquiries
• 2. To streamline external communications
• 3. As a coding tool
• 4. As a personal assistant 
• 5. To write emails
• 6. To write copy
• 7. For time management
• 8. To create presentations
• 9. For keyword research
• 10. To manage meetings

Almost every business Tech.co heard from had positive experiences with ChatGPT, but as this technology grows in popularity, many roles risk becoming obsolete in the process.

Tech.co’s Lead Writer Aaron Drapkin comments: “Right now, the AI tools available to most businesses – such as ChatGPT – are pretty generic. They’re useful for supporting a wide range of tasks, and despite almost half of business leaders suggesting they’re considering AI over new hires, at present, these tools still need a lot of human oversight.

But soon enough, we’re likely to see increasingly specialized AI tools developed that fulfill niche business functions – this is the next stage, and the search trends data seems to suggest businesses are exploring different AI use cases. 

When these specialized tools become generally available, it will become more clear what kind of roles are at risk of being swallowed up completely, and which ones still need heavy human involvement.

That being said, it’s really hard to predict what will happen in the near future. GPT-4 is a huge improvement on GPT-3.5, and Google recently suggested that its Gemini language model, which is still under development, is even more sophisticated than any of OpenAI’s current efforts. If development continues at this seemingly rapid pace, there’s unlikely to be any industry – or any role – left untouched.”

AI chatbots are still in their infancy, meaning many are prone to errors, biases, and misinformation. A number of employers have already barred their use due to worries around plagiarism and security.

Apple restricted ChatGPT in May over concerns about employees unknowingly sharing confidential information.

But it’s not just tech companies that are restricting access – some Wall Street Banks have also cracked down on the tool, including Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Corp., and Wells Fargo & Co.

New survey data from leading business technology authority Tech.co has revealed that 47% of company decision-makers are considering using AI tools to carry out tasks instead of hiring new employees. 

Tech.co surveyed a global cohort of business leaders across a variety of sectors to discover how AI tools are affecting their firm and personal workload. 

The survey revealed that business leaders believe that, on average, more than a quarter (26.8%) of their current personal workload could be completed by ChatGPT or similar tools. 

Since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, the AI tool has gained more than 100 million active users every month.

Its ability to help employees across the globe to efficiently carry out day-to-day tasks poses a potential threat to human credentials.

As AI tools have the ability to significantly increase employee productivity, projects carried out by humans could become increasingly vulnerable to automation.

Some project management software providers are already working on plans to use artificial intelligence to streamline task management. For example, it’s now possible to join a waitlist to use ClickUp’s new AI tool, which could help users with tasks like writing proposals and drafting emails. 

But despite its growing popularity, Tech.co’s survey findings show some skepticism over whether ChatGPT could replace entire roles, as 52% of business leaders said that ChatGPT and similar AI tools would never replace an entire role in their business. 

Tech.co’s Lead Writer Aaron Drapkin comments:

“AI tools are rapidly changing the way employees deliver tasks across a broad range of industries. Everything from coding to legal advice can now be carried out by AI – and ChatGPT has only been available to the public for around six months. Although respondents to our survey seemed divided on whether ChatGPT or similar AI tools could soon replace an entire role, with new use cases arising almost every day, the future of business and its relationship with AI is becoming increasingly unpredictable. It could majorly impact hiring going forward – and for some businesses, it already is.”