Top Ten Uses Of AI Puts Therapy And Companionship At The #1 Spot

Let's delve into the fascinating world of AI and its top uses as outlined in the latest analysis.

This exploration of a groundbreaking AI development is a continuation of my ongoing Forbes column, where I delve into the latest advancements in AI, including the identification and explanation of various impactful AI applications (see the link here).

The Top Uses Of Generative AI

In an insightful article titled "How People Are Really Using Generative AI Now" by Marc Zao-Sanders, published in the Harvard Business Review on April 9, 2025, a comprehensive ranking of the top uses of generative AI and LLMs is presented. The article not only focuses on the Top Ten uses but also provides a complete list of the Top 100 uses.

I will focus here on the Top Ten uses.

This ranking is an update to the one published by the same author in HBR on March 19, 2024. Here are some key excerpts from his latest analysis:

• "Building upon the foundation laid in last year’s report, written up in this Harvard Business Review article, this updated edition seeks to provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of how individuals are utilizing Generative AI (GenAI) in 2025."
• "The research methodology remains largely consistent with the prior study, employing a rigorous, expert-driven curation of public discourse, sourced primarily from Reddit forums."
• "The findings underscore a marked transition from primarily technical and productivity-driven use cases toward applications centered on personal well-being, life organization, and existential exploration."
• "This shift, along with the increasing sophistication of AI users, suggests that GenAI is not merely a tool for efficiency but is increasingly becoming an integral part of human decision-making, creativity, and emotional support."

Some critics argue that the ranking's reliance on online forums like Reddit and Quora might not fully represent the general population's use of generative AI. Other rankings often employ direct surveys or gather data directly from AI developers. Nonetheless, the list seems quite relevant to me and aligns well with other rankings, including my own observations from discussions during talks and presentations.

Revealing The Top Ten

Here is the Top Ten ranking without further delay:

• (1) Therapy/companionship.
• (2) Organize my life.
• (3) Find purpose.
• (4) Enhance learning.
• (5) Generate code.
• (6) Generate ideas.
• (7) Fun and nonsense.
• (8) Improve code.
• (9) Creativity.
• (10) Healthier living.

Before I provide a brief overview of why these uses have become so popular, take a moment to reflect on your own use of generative AI and compare it to this list.

Here are some thought-provoking questions to consider:

• (i) Are there uses in the Top Ten that you haven't tried, and if so, should you consider using generative AI for those purposes?
• (ii) Do the uses align with your own usage, and if so, does your personal ranking match this list, starting with therapy/companionship as your #1 use, followed by organizing your life as #2, and so on, or is your ranking different?
• (iii) For your most frequent uses, are there aspects not included in the Top Ten list, and if so, why are those uses significant to you but not as widespread?
• (iv) The Top Ten list focuses more on personal use rather than work-related applications (except perhaps for generating code #5 and improving code #8). Are you using generative AI for work, and if so, are you possibly neglecting personal uses due to a focus on work-related applications?
• (v) Does the Top Ten list offer any significant insights into how others are using generative AI, and if so, what does it reveal about your fellow humans and the direction society is heading?

Take a moment to ponder these questions with a glass of fine wine.

Quick Details On Each Of The Top Ten

Let's now briefly explore each of the topics in the Top Ten ranking. I will also provide links to additional content for those interested in specific uses.

#1. Therapy/companionship – I have written extensively about using generative AI for mental health purposes, noting that a large-scale experiment is underway. AI-powered non-professional "therapy" is available 24/7, nearly free, and accessible worldwide. Will this ultimately benefit mental health, or could it have negative effects? It's happening regardless of the outcome. Additionally, will people choose AI over human therapists, which could be concerning if professional help is needed? On the other hand, this democratization of on-the-go "therapy" is said to offer immense potential benefits. For more on this topic, see my analysis at the link here.

#2. Organize my life – This use of generative AI is less profound compared to the #1 use, as it focuses on organizing your life rather than addressing internal mental states. However, it's significant that people are seeking to get organized. Even if the AI's advice isn't perfect, it can still be helpful. Using AI as an organizational coach seems sensible and is encouraged. Go ahead and use AI to get highly organized.

#3. Find purpose – Asking a friend or family member about finding purpose can lead to a confusing conversation. AI, on the other hand, can guide you step-by-step through the process of discovering your purpose. For more on this, see my deep dive at the link here.

#4. Enhance learning – Lifelong learning is a current buzzword, and generative AI can help you achieve it. It can provide information on a wide range of topics. However, don't rely solely on AI for learning; explore other sources as well.

#5. Generate code – Generative AI can write code in languages like Python or C , similar to a human programmer. This capability is improving rapidly. Currently, you still need some programming knowledge to review and test the generated code. AI isn't yet a complete expert. For more on this topic, see my analysis at the link here.

#6. Generate ideas – When you're stuck and can't come up with ideas, generative AI can help. You can ask it to provide ideas or engage in a brainstorming session with it to spark your creativity.

#7. Fun and nonsense – Everyone needs downtime to relax and have fun. You can use generative AI to play games, either by having it create a game for you or by playing a game you've designed with it. For details, see the link here.

#8. Improve code – Similar to #5, this use involves giving AI existing code to enhance or optimize. While it can make your code more efficient, be cautious as AI might introduce unintended issues that could cause problems later.

#9. Creativity – If you struggle with thinking outside the box, generative AI can help spark your creativity. Despite some claims that AI can't be creative, it can produce a variety of creative outputs. To learn more about AI's creative capabilities, see my explanation at the link here.

#10. Healthier living – Many specialized apps guide you toward healthier living, but generative AI can also provide general advice. While it won't track your progress like dedicated apps, it can serve as a starting point for healthier living.

What About The Next Ten Uses

Now that we've covered the Top Ten, you might be curious about the next ten uses.

Here are the #11 to #20 rankings:

• (11) Prepare for interviews.
• (12) Generate relevant images.
• (13) Specific search.
• (14) Simple explainers.
• (15) Cook with what you have.
• (16) Troubleshoot.
• (17) Personalize learning.
• (18) Boost confidence.
• (19) Adjust tone of email.
• (20) Explain legalese.

Regarding the last item, #20 on explaining legalese, I advise caution. Generative AI can provide a broad overview, but it should not be relied upon for legally authoritative interpretations. For more on using AI for legalese explanations, see my discussion at the link here.

Your Use Is Your Deal

The purpose of this overview of the top uses of generative AI is to provide a broad perspective on maximizing the benefits of contemporary generative AI and LLMs. Don't underestimate the potential of generative AI, as you might miss out on valuable opportunities.

Consider spending a few "spare" minutes trying each of the Top 20 uses (yes, all twenty) with generative AI, skipping any you've already tried.

As the legendary Mark Twain once said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." So, go ahead and start using generative AI for these uses and more. You might discover something truly valuable.

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