OpenAI and Upwork's 'Work at the Frontier' Finds AI Freelance Briefs Grew 45% More Diverse in Task Mix

OpenAI and Upwork published 'Work at the Frontier: AI's effect on freelance work,' finding AI-related freelance briefs grew 45% more diverse in task mix (14.6 to 21.2 common tasks) between January 2025 and June 2026. AI-related projects carry larger fixed-price budgets and more hours but similar posted hourly rates. 43 of 63 freelance categories lost share where ChatGPT use was strongest, pointing to recombination rather than straight job replacement.