OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently shared unique insights into how people of different age groups are using ChatGPT.
At the Sequoia Capital AI Ascent event held on May 2, Altman explained that usage patterns vary widely by generation.
This revelation was published in a video interview on Sequoia Capital’s YouTube channel and has since sparked widespread discussion in the tech community.
Older Users See ChatGPT as a Google Replacement
According to Altman, older users are primarily turning to ChatGPT as an alternative to traditional search engines like Google.
“They use it to look things up,” he said, calling it a “gross oversimplification” but still a noticeable trend.
Rather than navigating dozens of search results, older individuals prefer the direct and conversational nature of AI-generated answers.
This use case reflects a broader shift in how people access and interact with information online.
College Students Treat ChatGPT Like an Operating System
Perhaps the most intriguing observation came when Altman discussed how college students engage with ChatGPT.
He stated that many students treat it “like an operating system.”
“They have complex ways to set it up to connect it to a bunch of files,” Altman said.
“They have fairly complex prompts memorized in their head or saved somewhere to paste in and out.”
This shows a deeper integration of AI into their academic and personal workflows.
Students rely on ChatGPT not just for schoolwork but for daily decision-making and digital organisation.
Young Adults Use ChatGPT for Life Advice
Altman also touched on users in their 20s and 30s, saying they often use ChatGPT like a life coach or advisor.
“They don’t really make life decisions without asking ChatGPT what they should do,” he explained.
These users tend to share personal context with the AI to get more tailored advice.
It’s a reflection of how digital natives are beginning to outsource cognitive tasks to intelligent systems.
OpenAI’s Internal Use of ChatGPT
When asked about how OpenAI itself uses the tool, Altman said, “ChatGPT writes a lot of our code.”
However, he didn’t provide a specific percentage.
This aligns with comments from Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who previously said AI writes over 25% of Google’s new code.
These statements underline the growing role of AI in software development.
Data Shows Heavy ChatGPT Use Among U.S. Students
In February, OpenAI released a report confirming that U.S. college students use ChatGPT more than any other group.
More than one-third of Americans aged 18 to 24 are ChatGPT users, according to the same report.
This level of engagement reflects the tool’s usefulness for everything from research and coding to essay writing and scheduling.
Teen Usage Has Also Doubled Year Over Year
A January survey from Pew Research Center found that 26% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 used ChatGPT for schoolwork in 2024.
This is up from just 13% in 2023.
The rapid increase suggests that AI is becoming a mainstream educational tool.
It also raises questions about academic integrity, parental involvement, and the future of learning.
Final Thoughts on Generational AI Engagement
Sam Altman’s remarks shed light on a critical shift in how people interact with technology.
While older adults seek convenience and simplified search, younger users are building sophisticated, AI-powered systems for both personal and academic use.
As these generational habits evolve, they could reshape how we define productivity, creativity, and even human decision-making.
The future of AI isn’t just about what the technology can do—it’s also about how different people choose to use it.