AI Chatbots Now Used by Half of All American Adults

Pew Research Center Study

According to НВ — Техно: June 18, 11:30 AM

A recent study by the Pew Research Center, reported by Gizmodo, reveals that 50% of American adults now use AI-powered chatbots. Based on a survey of 5,119 U.S. residents conducted from February 17 to 23, 2026, one-quarter of respondents said they engage with these tools daily. Yet only 16% of those surveyed believe artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on society.

Chatbot Popularity in the U.S.

Among the most popular chatbots in the United States, ChatGPT leads the pack, used by 44% of Americans-up from 34% a year ago. Other chatbots include:

• Google's Gemini - 24%
• Microsoft's Copilot - 17%
• Meta AI - 14%
• xAI's Grok - 8%
• Anthropic's Claude - 6%
• Character.ai - 3%

Overall, 51% of American adults do not use AI chatbots at all.

The study also found that 25% of respondents turn to chatbots several times a week or less, while 24% use them daily-4% almost constantly. Age plays a significant role in adoption rates:

• 66% of people aged 18–29
• 61% of those aged 30–49
• 42% of those aged 50–64
• 23% of people over 65

The survey showed that 48% of young adults aged 18–29 think AI will negatively affect society over the next 20 years, and 37% in this age group expect a personal negative impact. Among those aged 30–49, 39% foresee a negative societal effect, with 30% believing it will harm them personally. For those 50 and older, 37% expect negative societal consequences, and 28% anticipate a personal downside.

Socioeconomic status also influences chatbot usage: 66% of high-income earners, 49% of middle-class individuals, and 41% of low-income respondents use chatbots. The most common uses for AI include:

• Searching for information (42%)
• Completing work tasks (38%)
• Entertainment (25%)
• Creating or editing photos and videos (24%)
• Medical advice (20%)
• Nutrition and fitness information (20%)
• News (13%)
• Emotional support (10%)
• Social interaction (4%)

Additionally, 30% of Americans believe AI boosts their productivity, while 5% are sure it reduces it. Eight percent of respondents feel AI positively affects their happiness. However, 71% of Americans worry that AI development could make their personal information less secure. 67% have little to no trust in the U.S. government's ability to oversee AI progress, and 59% are unsure whether companies developing and deploying AI are acting responsibly.

Among non-users, 83% cited a lack of interest, 79% are concerned about how their personal data is used, 76% distrust the accuracy of responses, and 55% don't know how to use such services.

The research highlights the growing popularity of chatbots among Americans, even as significant skepticism persists about their societal impact.

The popularity of these technologies among younger people suggests they could shape the future of communication and information sharing. Yet high levels of concern over privacy and trust underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability from the companies behind them. These factors may influence how artificial intelligence continues to evolve and integrate into everyday life.

As the popularity of AI chatbots continues to rise among American adults, it's important to note that trust in these technologies remains a significant concern. A recent article highlights how many Americans are skeptical about the reliability of AI responses. Understanding the nuances of this trust gap can provide valuable insights into the future of AI integration in daily life. For more on this topic, see the challenges of AI trust among users.