How Are Independent Professionals Using AI to Get Ahead?

The independent workforce is changing fast—and AI is right at the center of that shift. In our latest State of Independence report due out Sept. 8, we found that professionals across industries are using AI to work smarter, move faster, and boost their creativity.  

These professionals not just trying out new tools—they’re weaving them into nearly every part of their business. From research and writing to admin and tech work, AI is becoming a go-to partner for millions of independents. 

How Are Independent Professionals Using AI in Their Business?

Research (41%)–The Clear Frontrunner

Research stands out as the top AI application among independent professionals. They’re diving into market trends, summarizing complex documents, and gathering background for client work—all while AI helps them accelerate how they collect and synthesize information. 

Professionals in fields like law, healthcare, finance, and technology report major time savings. Rather than spending hours reviewing dense material, they’re using AI to quickly extract insights and test ideas, which makes them more responsive to client needs and freeing up time for higher-value work.

Idea Generation (37%)—Creativity Gets a Boost

More than a third of independent professionals are using AI to support brainstorming and early-stage ideation. Think campaign concepts and product names, business strategies and frameworks. AI is helping users explore more creative directions faster. 

AI can generate options and prompt new lines of thought. In essence, it acts as a digital sounding board. Professionals in both creative and consulting roles are finding value in having a tool that helps kickstart the process. 

Discover: How Is AI Impacting Independent Work?

Writing (35%)—Getting Past the Blank Page to Polished Draft

Writing ranks high on the list of AI use cases. Independent professionals are using tools to draft content outlines, reports, marketing copy, and social media posts. All of this makes it easier to create consistent, polished messaging across platforms. 

Even those who don’t see writing as their primary strength are tapping into AI for support. They’re summarizing meeting notes and improving the tone and clarity of client communications, while generative tools help them write with more confidence and efficiency.

Creative and Design Work (33%)—A Smarter Starting Point

AI is also playing a growing role in creative and design work. One-third of independents are using AI to generate visuals, draft mockups, or spark design concepts—giving them a faster way to experiment and iterate. 

Most professionals aren’t using AI-generated content as final deliverables, but they rely on it to speed up the early stages of their work. They blend AI output with their own skills and vision, which lets them present more options to clients and work more efficiently on visual projects. 

See: How AI Can Help Independent Professionals Win More Business

Data Analysis and Visualization (25%)—Easier Access to Insights

AI is helping independent professionals make better use of data. A quarter of professionals are using tools to analyze datasets, identify patterns, and generate visualizations. This can be especially useful for solo consultants or anyone without access to enterprise-level tools. 

AI can automate tedious parts of the analysis process and recommend ways to present findings, making it easier to deliver insights that are both accurate and engaging. The result is stronger outcomes for clients and more confidence in the data.

Administrative Tasks (22%)—More Time for Meaningful Work

About one in five professionals are using AI to simplify everyday administrative tasks—drafting invoices, managing inboxes, generating to-do lists, and scheduling content—all while reclaiming valuable time. Even small gains in efficiency can add up.  

By spending less time on routine work, independents can focus more on strategic, billable projects, improving both productivity and profitability without extending their workday. 

Explore: Achieving Better Client Service With AI

Want More Insights on AI in the Workforce?

What we’re seeing in our research is a shift in how work gets done. AI is helping independent professionals scale their businesses, enhance the quality of their work, and compete more effectively—all without large teams or big budgets. 

As we continue tracking these trends, one thing is clear: Independent professionals who embrace AI thoughtfully are setting themselves up for long-term success in a fast-changing world of work. For more information, check out our AI in the Future of Work report.

Want more insights on the latest workforce trends, including how AI is shaping the future of independent work? Visit our Insights page for expert analysis, research highlights, and practical guidance for today’s independent professionals.