OpenAI studies AI’s effect on freelance work
On November 10, 2026, OpenAI and Upwork published an early analysis of how AI use appears in ChatGPT activity and projects posted on a freelance marketplace.
- Compares ChatGPT activity with project listings on Upwork.
- The analysis says AI-related projects combine more kinds of tasks and have larger fixed budgets and more hours.
- Source and date: OpenAI, November 10, 2026; the study does not represent the whole labor market.
Context and analysis by Noosigma AI
Editorial summary and context based on the cited source. Claims and results attributed to the organization are reports from that source; they do not constitute independent validation by Noosigma AI.
The authors found differences between ChatGPT use and the services requested from independent professionals. In AI-related listings, clients began seeking applications across more fields and combining tasks that had rarely appeared together in earlier projects.
Why it matters
The analysis reports larger fixed-price budgets and more hours for these projects, while posted hourly rates were similar to comparable work. The data come from ChatGPT activity and Upwork listings over specific periods and do not represent the entire labor market.
The research describes signs of change in project mix and scope without concluding that AI is generally replacing workers. The findings are from OpenAI and Upwork and depend on the platforms and periods studied. Source and date: OpenAI, November 10, 2026.