Based on the research of Marc Zao-Sanders who analysed a large amount of Reddit posts. These are the current popular categories. As you can see AIs are becoming people’s partners in both their personal and professional lives.
People are turning to AI for therapy and this is seen as the number 1 use of generative models. The non-judgmental nature of AI has made it incredibly popular in this area and the feeling that the AI will not tell anybody their deepest thoughts. This could be both a boon to mental health, but also a concern that people are becoming increasingly isolated. Especially when seen with the amount of time spent on social media and possibly even video games where much of the interactivity is simply consuming content. In at 2 and 3 we see people organising their lives and asking AI to help with this.
As expected learning knowledge is at number 4 and its ability to create instant learning experiences is very popular indeed and at number 5 the ability to generate code has become popular. The idea of “vibe” coding has enabled people to make simple programs and help professional programmers to code more quickly. (Up from rank 47.)
At number 7, recreation has its first entry and it is noticeable that this is further down in terms of reach with a limited number of entries. AI is being used for funny materials, images and even creating children’s stories.
A key theme emerging from the report is the shift from primarily technical and productivity-driven applications to more personal, emotional, and existential uses of AI. The number one use case in 2025 is AI for therapy and companionship, where users seek emotional support, help with loneliness, or even assistance with cognitive challenges such as brain fog and memory loss. AI is also widely used to organise daily life, helping users manage schedules, set goals, track habits, and make better use of their time. Another major use case is helping individuals find purpose, with AI supporting self-reflection, identifying values, and making life decisions.
Learning enhancement is another dominant category, where AI serves as an ever-available tutor, simplifying complex topics, offering interactive learning experiences, and even simulating conversations with historical figures. Other popular uses include specific search tasks—where AI outperforms traditional search engines by understanding vague or complex queries—and fun and creative applications, such as generating personalised stories, memes, or even fantasy characters for games like Dungeons & Dragons.
Top 10 List of requests
- AI Therapy & Companionship
- Life Organisation
- Finding Life Purpose
- Enhancing Learning
- Generating Code
- Idea Generation
- Entertainment & Fun
- Code Optimisation
- Creative Projects
- Health & Wellness
The report reveals that generative AI is becoming a core part of people’s lives—not just a tool for work but also a partner in creativity, education, health, and emotional well-being. Users are turning to AI for everything from writing essays, summarising articles, and planning workouts, to simulating conversations with deceased loved ones for emotional closure. These examples highlight the deeply personal nature of today’s AI use.
Causes for concern
While the 2025 Top-100 Generative AI Use Case Report highlights the rapid integration of AI into everyday life, it also reveals several causes for concern. One of the most pressing issues is the growing emotional dependency on AI. Many users turn to generative AI for therapy and companionship, sometimes using it as a substitute for real human interaction. While this can be helpful for some, it also poses psychological risks. Several users described forming deep attachments to AI personas, relying on them for emotional regulation, or simulating conversations with deceased loved ones. Though these interactions can provide comfort, they may hinder the natural grieving process or lead to an unhealthy detachment from reality.
Another concern is the blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation. Users who engage in long, emotionally charged dialogues with AI—especially those simulating loved ones—sometimes report feeling worse after being reminded that the experience is artificial. The realism of AI-generated responses may offer temporary solace, but it also raises ethical questions about memory, identity, and the authenticity of relationships.
Educational integrity is also under threat. Many students now use AI to write essays, generate homework answers, or bypass plagiarism detectors. While some use it as a learning aid, others describe openly outsourcing their assignments. Alarmingly, even teaching assistants are reported to use AI to grade student work, creating a feedback loop in which both content creation and evaluation are mediated by machines. This trend risks undermining genuine learning and challenges existing assessment systems.
Moreover, the report suggests an over-reliance on AI for everyday thinking and decision-making. Some users defer to AI for tasks ranging from crafting emails and responding to legal disputes to making health and fitness plans. While this convenience is appealing, it may diminish critical thinking skills and personal agency over time. The habit of consulting AI for every decision could erode self-confidence and problem-solving ability, particularly among younger users.
The report also hints at emerging tensions in the workplace. AI is frequently used to replace human effort in drafting, translation, and customer service tasks. While this increases productivity, it can also displace coworkers or devalue human contributions, fostering resentment and insecurity. Some users admit to feeling conflicted as they automate jobs once handled by colleagues.
Another area of concern is the potential for misinformation and the circumvention of safety filters. Some users prefer AI tools with fewer restrictions and openly describe using them for content that would otherwise be filtered. This raises the risk of spreading unsafe or false information, particularly in contexts like health and legal advice, where accuracy is critical.
Finally, the report reveals a subtle but significant shift in how people relate to one another. AI is increasingly being used to manage personal relationships, from resolving disputes to composing emotionally sensitive messages. This may reduce interpersonal strain in the short term, but it also risks weakening real-world communication skills, empathy, and emotional resilience. If left unchecked, the widespread use of AI as a social intermediary could contribute to greater societal isolation, even as the technology becomes more “interactive.”
Conclusion
The 2025 Top-100 Generative AI Use Case Report paints a compelling picture of a world rapidly adapting to and integrating AI into personal, educational, and professional domains. While the technology empowers users in unprecedented ways—offering support, structure, and creativity—it also reveals deeper risks related to emotional dependency, reduced critical thinking, ethical concerns in education, and the erosion of genuine human connection. As generative AI becomes more embedded in daily life, it is essential that its use be guided by awareness, responsibility, and safeguards that protect mental well-being, foster digital literacy, and ensure AI enhances rather than replaces the human experience.
