EP24 - Inside 200,000 AI Conversations: What Microsoft Tells Us About Work

What if you could peek behind the curtain and see exactly how people are using AI at work right now? In this episode, we dive into an exclusive, unpublished study from Microsoft that does just that. Titled "Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI," the paper analyzes 200,000 real, anonymized conversations between users and Microsoft Bing Copilot to uncover how AI is reshaping the workforce. This isn’t theoretical. This is actual, on-the-ground usage, rich with data, surprising insights, and implications for nearly every job you can imagine.

We explore what people are really asking AI to help with and what the AI is actually doing in response. From writing and research to coaching and advising, the results may surprise you, especially the fact that in 40 percent of cases, what users wanted and what AI did were completely different tasks. The study maps these interactions to job roles using the O*NET occupational database, producing an “AI applicability score” that highlights which professions are most and least exposed to AI capabilities today. Spoiler: knowledge workers, communicators, and information professionals should pay close attention.

Whether you’re a business leader, knowledge worker, or educator, this episode offers a grounded look at how generative AI is actually being used across different types of work. The findings show that AI’s current strengths lie in supporting tasks like writing, information gathering, and communication, while its direct performance is most visible in roles involving teaching, advising, or coaching. Physical and manual occupations remain less affected, for now, but even those show signs of interaction. By focusing on real-world data rather than predictions, the episode provides a more nuanced view of how AI is fitting into the workplace today.