For the past few years, people have been talking nonstop about how AI chatbots like ChatGPT will completely change the way we work. Many believed these tools would make us more productive, help businesses grow faster, and even boost the economy. But new research suggests that, so far, the impact has been much smaller than expected.

A study by two researchers—Anders Humlum from the University of Chicago and Emilie Vestergaard from the University of Copenhagen—took a close look at how AI chatbots are actually affecting jobs. Instead of just guessing or relying on small experiments, they examined real-world data from Denmark, where thousands of workers and companies were surveyed. Their findings were surprising: even though AI chatbots are being used widely, they haven’t yet made a big difference in wages, work hours, or overall productivity.

AI Chatbots Are Everywhere, But Where Are the Results?

The study found that AI chatbots have become very common in workplaces. In fact, many companies are now encouraging their employees to use them—a big change from a few years ago when businesses were worried about privacy and security risks. About four out of ten companies even created their own chatbots for employees, and nearly one-third of workers received training on how to use them.

When employers actively supported chatbot use, the number of workers using them nearly doubled—jumping from 47% to 83%. This also helped close the gap between men and women using AI tools, showing that proper training and encouragement can make a difference.

But here’s the strange part: even though chatbots are everywhere, the study found almost no effect on paychecks or job performance. The researchers called their findings “precise zeros,” meaning there was no noticeable change in wages or work hours across different jobs. This was true even for people who used chatbots every day or worked in companies that heavily promoted them.

Why Aren’t Chatbots Boosting Productivity Like We Expected?

Many early experiments suggested that AI chatbots could make workers 15%, 30%, or even 50% more productive. But in real workplaces, the actual time saved was much smaller—only about 2.8% of a worker’s total hours. Why such a big difference?

One reason is that lab experiments often focus on tasks where chatbots work best, like writing simple emails or helping with coding. But in real jobs, workers do many different things, and AI doesn’t always help. For example, teachers might use chatbots to create lesson plans, but they still spend just as much time grading papers or managing classrooms.

Another issue is that companies and workers are still figuring out how to use AI effectively. The study found that people who got proper training and support from their employers did see more benefits—like saving time and feeling more creative. But without the right guidance, many workers aren’t using chatbots to their full potential.

AI Isn’t Just Replacing Work—It’s Creating New Tasks

One interesting discovery was that AI chatbots aren’t just helping people do their jobs faster—they’re also creating new kinds of work. About 17% of workers who used chatbots said they now had new tasks because of AI. In companies that encouraged chatbot use, even employees who didn’t use them noticed changes. For example, teachers reported having to check if students were using AI to write their assignments.

Some of these new tasks include learning how to use chatbots, checking AI-generated work for mistakes, and making sure everything follows company rules. This suggests that, instead of just making work easier, AI is changing what work looks like—and businesses are still adapting.

Will AI Chatbots Ever Have a Bigger Impact?

The researchers aren’t saying AI chatbots will never change the way we work. Over time, as companies get better at using them and as the technology improves, the effects might grow. But for now, the study shows that the hype hasn’t matched reality.

Two years after ChatGPT exploded in popularity, its effect on jobs and wages has been surprisingly small. The revolution might still be coming, but it’s moving much slower than many people predicted.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

This research reminds us that new technologies don’t always change things overnight. Just like computers took years to truly transform workplaces, AI chatbots might need more time before we see big changes. For now, they’re useful tools—but they haven’t yet turned the world of work upside down.

So, are AI chatbots really changing how we work? The answer, at least for now, seems to be: not as much as we thought. But the story isn’t over yet. As businesses learn how to use AI better and as the technology evolves, the real impact might still be on the way. Until then, the biggest change might just be that we’re all still figuring things out.