The fastest-growing use of ChatGPT.
Global trade jumps 40%, old videos create new revenue, portfolios go digital.
This week I had a female founders lunch and one of the table topics centered around how we define success. I believe success is personal and for me, it comes down to two questions: 1) is the work I’m doing personally energizing and satisfying? and 2) do I have control over my time?
If yes and yes, then I have success.
That same lens feels relevant this week as we look at how the fastest-growing use of ChatGPT points to a shift in productivity.
Let's get into what moved across money, AI, and the future of work.
Future of AI
One finding that stands out to me: writing tasks within ChatGPT declined from 36% of usage to 24% in the past year.
I’m not convinced that people are writing less with AI. To me, this signals that AI-assisted writing is less of a destination activity in ChatGPT and more an invisible layer in everyday tools like Gmail and Notion.
On the creative side, the bar for writing quality has increased over the past 12 months. We’re more sensitive to AI slop, which means users aren’t able to differentiate themselves through speed or polish anymore. Looking at you, LinkedIn. If I were to use obvious AI-filler like “harness the power of…” or “optimize efficiency with tailored solutions” everywhere in this Brief, you’d lose trust fast.
If anything, a new kind of reputation capital has emerged. Writers, founders, and brands who can inject sharp ideas, taste, and a distinct voice into the marketplace are rising above the sea of AI slop. So then, ChatGPT is less valuable as a writing tool and more as a thinking partner.
Which brings me to another notable finding from this study.
Asking vs. Doing vs. Expressing
The study grouped each ChatGPT message into one of 3 categories. “Asking” made up 51% of messages and is defined as seeking information and advice. “Doing” accounted for 35% of messages and includes task-related interactions like drafting text, planning, or programming. The third category, “Expressing” (14% of usage) is the most interesting to me…
Expressing is the fastest-growing intent and has seen nearly 2x growth over the past 12 months. People are increasingly treating ChatGPT less as a productivity tool and more as a companion for self-reflection, identity play, and emotional scaffolding. This value won’t show up neatly in GDP, but it compounds in decision-making, wellbeing, and culture.
This is an opportunity zone. Expressive use is unmonetized, unmeasured, and unclaimed. Whoever builds the best scaffolding for journaling, reflection, or identity coaching will own the next category of consumer AI.
In other AI news…
The World Trade Organization released their 2025 report, predicting that AI could boost global trade by nearly 40% by 2040, dependent on both policy timelines and tech implementation between low- to high-income economies.
Future of Media
YouTube celebrated its 20th birthday at its annual Made On event by unveiling over 30 new AI‑powered tools for creators. That’s a 3x increase from last year’s count. Features range from auto‑embedding shopping links and to AI‑generated videos that accompany podcasts and a speech‑to‑song generator.
Event highlights:
30% of YouTube daily viewers watched live content in Q2. CEO Neil Mohan stated that Live will be a primary area of focus and investment for YouTube going forward. The future belongs to those who build presence into product. I called this back in April. Youtube just confirmed it. [read more in this brief].
Another focus: Brand Partnerships. Over the past four years, YouTube has paid out $100B to creators, artists, and media companies. I’m most excited to see the new dynamic ad insertion feature, which could turn back catalogs into new revenue streams for creators.
Future of Money
The tokenization of real-world assets is accelerating fast, with market projections of growth from $600B in 2024 to $19T by 2033 ($9.4T by 2030), with a CAGR of 53 percent.
In plain English: imagine your retirement account or stock portfolio. Instead of owning a “record” stored in a bank or brokerage database, you’d own a digital token on a blockchain. It’s still Apple or Tesla stock, but easier to move, split, or use.
Nasdaq just filed paperwork with the SEC to allow these tokenized shares to trade alongside traditional ones, with the same rights (dividends, voting) and the same protections. The behind-the-scenes pipes (DTC) would handle minting these tokens and depositing them into digital wallets. This means Wall Street’s core infrastructure is preparing to live on blockchain rails.
No more settlement delays. No more trapped capital. Liquidity becomes faster, cheaper, and borderless.
If stocks, bonds, and real estate all get tokenized… what does your portfolio look like in five years?
Zooming out, here’s a few quick Rich Future signals to add to your radar this week:
Nvidia signs LOI to invest $500M in Wayve, a UK autonomous‑driving startup that uses machine learning (vs. maps) to navigate. These end-to-end AI systems are pulling capital the same way GPUs did five years ago.
TikTok’s not banned and the U.S. gets the keys with 80% ownership, 6 of 7 seats on the board, Oracle handling data & algorithm supervision. I’m looking forward to seeing how algorithm transparency will work in practice.
Your Apple Watch wants to be your cardiologist now. With a new AI feature that flags high blood pressure. Bio-tracking is becoming the frontline of health data.
Amazon’s putting $1B into wages and cheaper healthcare. Despite the rise in AI, the bid for human labor is actually going up.
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