OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reveals how GenZ are using ChatGPT to make life decisions
Last Updated: 2026-05-12 10:53:12
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says younger users are interacting with ChatGPT very differently from older generations, with many college-aged users now relying on the AI tool while making important life decisions.
Speaking at a Sequoia Capital event, Altman explained that older users generally treat ChatGPT as a replacement for traditional search engines, while people in their twenties and thirties increasingly use it for advice related to work, relationships and personal situations. According to him, Gen Z users are taking that usage even further.
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Altman said many college students now use ChatGPT almost like an operating system for daily life. Instead of asking occasional questions, they build workflows around it by saving prompts, connecting files and using long-term conversations to organise tasks and decisions.
ChatGPT memory feature plays a key role
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One of the major reasons behind this deeper usage pattern is ChatGPT’s memory feature. The tool can retain details shared across conversations, allowing responses to become more personalised over time.
Altman noted that younger users often share information about their careers, routines, goals and personal relationships with the chatbot. Over time, ChatGPT builds context around these conversations, helping users return to ongoing discussions instead of starting from scratch.
According to Altman, some younger users now consult ChatGPT before making major decisions, including career-related choices and everyday personal matters.
Growing dependence on AI tools
A 2025 OpenAI report found that more than one-third of people aged between 18 and 24 in the United States use ChatGPT. The company says this age group has integrated AI tools into daily routines faster than older generations.
Experts, however, remain divided on whether such dependence is healthy. Some researchers have warned against relying heavily on AI tools for high-stakes or safety-sensitive decisions, while others argue that AI assistants can still be useful for organising thoughts, planning tasks and handling routine guidance.
Altman compared the shift to the early smartphone era, saying younger generations usually adapt to new technologies more quickly than older users. He added that AI appears to be following a similar pattern.