More Americans are using chatbots, and some are adopting AI summaries and smart speakers. But views about AI and how fast it’s advancing tilt negative – even for younger adults.
Key Takeaways
- About half of U.S. adults now report using AI chatbots, up substantially from the summer of 2024.1 This includes roughly one-in-four who use these tools on daily basis.
- Some people are bringing AI into their homes. About a third of Americans say they have a smart speaker, and smaller shares have a doorbell or thermostat with AI features.
- But Americans —including younger adults— are deeply skeptical of AI. More adults predict that AI will have a negative rather than positive impact on them and on society. And majorities think AI is advancing too quickly and will put their personal information at risk.
Americans are using these tools in many parts of their daily lives. Searching for information and work-related tasks are the most common uses:
- About four-in-ten U.S. adults say they use chatbots for information searching.2
- 38% of employed adults report using chatbots for tasks at work.
A quarter or less mention using these tools for fun, creating and editing images or videos, medical advice, and diet and fitness information.
And 13% say they use chatbots for getting news, according to our survey of 5,119 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
Debates continue about using this technology for more personal reasons, such as emotional advice and companionship. In this survey, one-in-ten report using chatbots for emotional support and a smaller share say they do so for companionship.
Click here to read the full report from Pew Research Center.