For many people, artificial intelligence has evolved beyond a simple information retrieval tool. It has become a personal health coach, tutor, confidant, companion, and even a therapist. But what determines which role the technology plays from one moment to the next?
This is the question that Microsoft sought to answer in a groundbreaking study, analyzing 37.5 million anonymized user conversations with Copilot, the company’s flagship AI chatbot. The results, published recently, reveal fascinating patterns about how people’s use of AI fluctuates depending on time, device, and personal circumstances.
Key Findings from the Study
The research sheds light on the intimate relationship between humans and AI chatbots, examining when and how people engage with these technologies. Microsoft collected conversations between January and September, excluding any chats from enterprise or commercial Copilot accounts.
One of the most striking discoveries was the prevalence of health and fitness conversations, particularly on mobile devices. This topic ranked as the third most common after “technology” and “work and career,” demonstrating growing user trust in AI as a reliable source of advice.
Time-Based Conversation Patterns
The study revealed that conversations vary significantly throughout the day and year. On desktop devices, “work and career” dominated during traditional working hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which comes as no surprise. However, users across both platforms became notably more introspective during late-night hours, with researchers reporting a spike in “religion and philosophy” discussions during the early morning hours.
Seasonal patterns also emerged. Conversations about “personal growth and wellness” and “relationships” surged in February, particularly in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day and on the holiday itself.
Desktop vs. Mobile: A Tale of Two Experiences
The biggest difference between platforms is striking: desktop users focused primarily on career-related queries, while mobile users asked more personal questions. This distinction could shape the future development of AI products, with desktop agents potentially optimized for information density and workflow execution, while mobile agents might prioritize empathy, brevity, and personal guidance.
The Broader Context
Previous research supports these findings. An OpenAI study conducted in September found that 70% of all ChatGPT messages are non-work-related (up from 53% the previous year), with “practical guidance” being among the most common uses. Another study claimed that therapy and companionship was the number one most common use of AI.
What This Means for AI Development
Microsoft describes the relationship between humans and AI as “multifaceted and nuanced.” The company stated: “By disentangling seasonality, daily rhythms, and device-level differences, we move beyond the monolithic view of ‘AI usage’ to reveal a technology that has integrated into the full texture of human life.”
However, the growing reliance on AI chatbots for personal matters raises important questions. While these tools can provide valuable assistance, they remain fallible and their increasing role in sensitive areas like health and relationships warrants caution.
Concerns and Considerations
Some companies have actively embraced AI “companions” – virtual avatars attached to large language models that build detailed user profiles over time. This trend poses potential risks, especially for underage users who may be particularly vulnerable to forming dependencies on AI interactions.
Experts warn that users should remain cautious about the personal information they disclose to AI tools and carefully evaluate the accuracy of advice received. Despite these concerns, Microsoft’s study confirms that AI systems are playing an increasingly central and influential role in daily life.
Whether this development represents progress or cause for concern remains a subject of debate. What’s clear is that AI has moved far beyond simple task automation, becoming a complex part of human emotional and intellectual life – for better or worse.
