F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “The true dark night of the soul is always 3 a.m.” Microsoft’s latest Copilot usage analysis suggests that this nocturnal penchant for existential musings remains in the AI era, with conversations about religion and philosophy rising in the rankings during the early morning hours.
The Microsoft AI (MAI) research team analyzed 37.5 million anonymized conversations to understand when and how users use Copilot for different needs. The findings, published Dec. 10, reveal unique patterns of AI use that surprisingly follow human rhythms, from late-night philosophical questions to Valentine’s Day relationship anxiety to the strict distinction between weekday coding and weekend gaming.
Late night existential questions and daytime travel plans
The report, written by Bea Costa Gomez and Seth Spielman, found that topics about religion and philosophy rise in the rankings during the early morning hours. In contrast, travel-related discussions peak during typical commute times, suggesting that users are planning trips while on the go. “In the early morning hours, there appeared to be more big questions asked, with ‘Religion and Philosophy’ rising to the top,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
Temporal separation reflects different states of mind. During active times, you make practical plans, and during quiet times, you ask meditative questions. This pattern challenges the assumption that AI is just a productivity tool and reveals its role in responding to our fundamental human curiosity.
Health is important at all times when using mobile
Health-related topics consistently ranked as the most common conversation type on mobile devices throughout 2025, regardless of the time, day, or month. Users turned to Copilot for health tracking, wellness tips, and remarkable, consistent daily management.
“When it comes to mobile for intimacy and immediacy, nothing beats our health,” the researchers wrote.
The predominance of health-related queries on mobile devices rather than desktops suggests that users view smartphones as more personal sidekicks for sensitive topics. Usage analysis shows that AI assistants are becoming incorporated into daily health care routines.
Programming increases on weekdays, games dominate on weekends
August data reveals a clear cyclical pattern between programming and gaming topics. Conversations about programming increased from Monday to Friday, and queries about games spiked over the weekend. Users were equally likely to engage in both topics, but were strictly separated by day of the week.
“This crossover suggests a vibrant creative community that loves to code during the week and play just as much on the weekends,” according to the report. Temporal separation suggests that users maintain a clear boundary between work and leisure, even if both involve digital activities.
Relationship inquiries spike on Valentine’s Day in February
According to Copilot’s usage analysis, there was a notable spike in relationship-related conversations in February, especially peaking around Valentine’s Day. Discussions about personal growth and health also increased before the holidays, as users sought guidance on navigating romantic expectations.
“We found a spike in activity as people turned to Copilot for guidance, reminders, and support, whether they were preparing for Valentine’s Day or facing Valentine’s Day or their relationships,” the researchers observed. This pattern reveals how patterns of AI usage align with cultural moments and social pressures, leading users to seek personal advice from AI during emotionally charged times.
From search to advice: changing usage patterns
While information search remains Copilot’s most popular feature, Microsoft’s analysis shows a clear increase in users seeking advice, especially around personal topics like relationships and life decisions.
“The growth of this trend highlights how digital tools are becoming reliable companions for life’s everyday questions,” the report said.
The shift from purely informational queries to advice-seeking queries represents an evolution in the way users conceptualize AI assistants, from search engines to consultants.
How to protect your privacy
Microsoft’s research team emphasized that the analysis preserves user privacy by extracting only a summary of the conversation, not the full content. The system identifies topics and intent while avoiding data leaks at the individual level. “Our system not only anonymizes conversations, but also extracts a summary of the conversation, from which it learns the topic and intent, maintaining complete privacy,” Costa-Gomez and Spielman explained.
The 37.5 million conversation samples represent a portion of Copilot’s total usage, but Microsoft does not reveal its complete user base or conversation volume.
Impact on AI development
According to Microsoft, understanding these patterns of AI usage will help develop features. The company said that by recognizing what matters most to users: support for health, creativity, and important moments, it can design features that naturally fit into everyday life. “These uses make it clear that what Copilot says matters. They show why it is so important that we maintain high standards for quality,” the researchers wrote.
The findings complement recent broader industry analysis of AI usage patterns, including an OpenRouter report showing that Chinese AI models are gaining global adoption due to improved cost efficiency and performance. Microsoft’s temporal focus adds behavioral depth to understanding how AI assistants integrate into human routines.
This research comes as Microsoft expands its AI infrastructure, with the company’s next-generation GB200 cluster now running at MAI.
Usage patterns suggest that AI assistants are evolving beyond tools to companions that adapt to human rhythms. It answers practical questions during the day and entertains users with philosophical musings when they can’t sleep.
See also: Fixed issue where Microsoft ‘Prompts’ fails to deliver AI prompts
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