Copilot Usage Analysis Reveals 2am Philosophy Peak

F. Scott Fitzgerald observed, “In a true dark night of the soul, it is always three in the morning.” The latest analysis of use of Microsoft’s Copilot software suggests that this nocturnal trend toward existential contemplation continues in the age of artificial intelligence — with religious and philosophical conversations rising through the rankings during the early morning hours.

The Microsoft AI (MAI) research team analyzed 37.5 million anonymous conversations to reveal when and how users turn to Copilot for different needs. The findings, published on December 10, reveal distinct AI usage patterns that follow surprising human rhythms — from late-night philosophical inquiries to relationship anxiety on Valentine’s Day, and a strict separation between weekday programming and weekend gaming.

Late-night existential inquiries and daytime travel planning

According to the report written by Pia Costa Gomez and Seth Spielman, conversations related to religion and philosophy rise in rankings during the early morning hours. In contrast, travel-related discussions peak during typical commute times, indicating that users plan trips while in transit. “Larger-than-life questions seem to rise during the early hours of the morning, with ‘religion and philosophy’ rising in the classrooms,” the researchers noted in their paper.

The temporal dichotomy reflects different states of mind: practical planning during active hours versus reflective questioning during quiet moments. This pattern challenges assumptions about AI as merely a productivity tool, and reveals its role in addressing basic human curiosity.

Health dominates mobile phone use at all times

Health-related topics consistently ranked as the most popular conversation types on mobile devices throughout 2025, regardless of time, day or month. Users have turned to Copilot to track wellness and health tips and manage daily routines with remarkable consistency.

“When it comes to the mobile phone, with its intimacy and immediacy, nothing beats our health,” the researchers wrote.

The dominance of health queries on mobile devices – not desktops – suggests that users view smartphones as a more personal accompaniment to sensitive topics. Usage analysis indicates that AI assistants are becoming integrated into daily health management procedures.

Programming peaks during the week, and gaming dominates the weekends

The August data revealed a clear cyclical pattern between programming and gaming topics. Coding conversations spiked Monday through Friday, while gaming-related inquiries spiked on weekends. Users were equally likely to engage with both topics, but were strictly separated by day of the week.

“Crossover refers to a vibrant creative community that loves to code during the week and play on the weekends just as much,” according to the report. The temporal separation indicates that users maintain clear boundaries between work and leisure, even when both involve digital activities.

Valentine’s Day in February spikes in inquiries about relationships

Analysis of Copilot usage showed that February saw a clear spike in relationship-related conversations, peaking specifically on Valentine’s Day. Discussions regarding personal growth and wellness also increased ahead of the holiday, as users sought guidance for dealing with romantic expectations.

“Whether it’s preparing for Valentine’s Day, or facing the day and relationships, we’ve seen a spike in activity as people turn to their co-pilot for guidance, reminders and support,” the researchers noted. This pattern reveals how AI usage patterns align with cultural moments and social pressures, with users seeking specific AI advice during emotionally charged periods.

From research to advice: changing usage patterns

While searching for information remains the most popular function of Copilot, Microsoft’s analysis revealed a clear rise in the number of users seeking advice, especially regarding personal topics including relationships and life decisions.

“The growing trend highlights how digital tools have become trusted companions in everyday life’s questions,” the report stated.

The shift from purely informational queries to seeking advice represents an evolution in how users perceive AI assistants – from search engines to advisors.

How to maintain privacy

The Microsoft research team confirmed that their analysis preserved user privacy by extracting only summaries of conversations instead of the full content. The system identifies subject matter and intent while avoiding exposure to individual-level data. “Our system not only de-identifies conversations, it only extracts the summary of the conversation, from which we learn the subject and intent, maintaining complete privacy,” Costa-Gomez and Spelman explained.

The 37.5 million conversation sample represents a subset of total Copilot usage, though Microsoft did not disclose the full user base or conversation volume.

Implications for the development of artificial intelligence

Understanding these AI usage patterns helps in feature development, according to Microsoft. The company noted that recognizing what matters most to users – health, creativity, and support during important moments – enables the design of features that fit naturally into everyday life. “It is also clear from these uses that what the co-pilot says matters. They illustrate why it is important to hold ourselves to a high standard of 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 through cost efficiencies and performance improvements. Microsoft’s temporal focus adds behavioral depth to understanding how AI assistants are integrated into human actions.

The 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 become companions that adapt to human rhythms, answering practical questions during daylight hours while entertaining philosophical musings when users can’t sleep.

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