When analysts examined billions of conversations between people and AI, they discovered something no one expected: most of us don’t use AI the way experts predicted. It’s not all about technical answers, coding, or solving math problems. People are mostly interested in practical, everyday things: how to write a polite message, how to explain something to a child, what to cook for dinner, or how to prepare for a job interview.

It turns out that AI has become something like a digital companion. People ask it things they wouldn’t usually ask colleagues or friends, because they know it won’t judge and will respond instantly. That’s why a large number of interactions have nothing to do with technology, but with emotional support. Users ask for advice when they’re stressed, when they need motivation, or simply someone who will “listen.”

Of course, there are also classic uses. Millions of people use AI every day for work: writing emails, editing text, analyzing data, creating presentations, or programming. Interestingly, creative tasks like writing poems, brainstorming ideas and editing images are among the fastest-growing categories. AI is increasingly being used as a tool for inspiration, not just for executing tasks.

The analyses also revealed something very human: many conversations with AI start with a simple “hey,” “hi,” or “how are you.” People behave naturally, as if AI is part of their daily rhythm, especially when they use it frequently. The better AI gets at understanding context, the more people treat it as a kind of assistant that “knows everything,” but is also patient enough to explain what we might not understand.

When everything is added up, the pattern is clear: people don’t use AI only as a tool, but as a partner for handling everyday details. This doesn’t mean it will replace friends or experts, but it does mean it’s taking on a new, interesting role, something between a dictionary, a mentor, an advisor and a creative helper. If the trends continue, AI could soon become as common as a smartphone: always with us, ready to help whenever we need it.