CompanyOpenAI

OpenAI: AI freelance projects get bigger budgets

Original title: Work at the Frontier: AI’s effect on freelance work

Plain language

What it is: OpenAI and Upwork released a study showing how AI is changing freelance work. The research shows that AI projects have larger budgets, require more hours, and combine different skills in new ways.
How it works: The researchers compared how people use ChatGPT with the jobs posted on Upwork. They analyzed how tasks are combined and how project budgets and hours change when AI is involved.
Where it is available: The study analyzed data from the Upwork freelance marketplace and ChatGPT user activity.
Example: A client might post a single job requesting AI-generated video, video editing, and motion graphics together to get a finished video.

What it is: OpenAI and Upwork published a research report analyzing the impact of AI on freelance labor markets. The study highlights shifts in task composition, a 45% increase in the diversity of AI-related postings, and larger budgets for AI projects.
How it works: The study compared ChatGPT usage data from January 2025 to June 2026 with Upwork job postings. It analyzed 63 work categories to track how task demand shifts and how AI capabilities are bundled within single contracts.
Where it is available: The research is based on data from the Upwork marketplace and ChatGPT usage.
Example: An example of task rebundling is a single project brief requesting AI-generated video, video editing, and motion graphics from one freelancer.

The headline and explanation on this page are based on OpenAI's post. The full details are in the original.

Work at the Frontier: AI’s effect on freelance work