Pew 2026: Half of Americans Use Chatbots, Two-Thirds Say AI Too Fast

What did Pew Research find about AI chatbot use in 2026?

Pew Research Center's "Americans and AI 2026" report, published June 17, 2026, found that 49% of U.S. adults now use AI chatbots at least occasionally. That is up sharply from 33% in 2024. The survey covered 5,119 U.S. adults and ran from February 17 to 23, 2026.

Despite rising use, 51% of U.S. adults say they never use a chatbot. And most non-users say they are not interested and have no plans to start.

How fast has chatbot adoption grown?

The jump from 33% to 49% in roughly two years is one of the report's headline findings. ChatGPT specifically has seen its usage double since 2023 — The Verge reports that 44% of respondents said they have used it.

Still, adoption is uneven. The 30-to-49 age group is the heaviest daily user segment, with 34% saying they turn to chatbots once a day or more. Roughly four in ten Americans reported using AI for work tasks.

Who uses chatbots — and who doesn't?

Age is the clearest dividing line in the data.

The majority of Americans 50 and older have never used a chatbot, according to Pew's report. Among racial and ethnic groups, Asian adults (English-speaking respondents) showed the highest usage at 70%, while white adults came in at 46%.

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Do younger users actually like AI?

Not necessarily. The 18-to-29 group uses chatbots most, but 48% of that same group believe AI will have a negative impact on society. Only 14% believe it will have a positive one.

Older generations use chatbots less, but they hold less negative views of AI overall. As The Verge notes, progressively older groups report using chatbots less while also holding a less pessimistic outlook.

Here's what we know so far: heavy use and deep skepticism are coexisting in the same generation — a pattern the data makes hard to ignore.

What do Americans think AI will do to society?

The numbers are stark. Only 16% of Americans say AI will have a positive impact on society. Meanwhile, 40% believe AI will ultimately be worse for society, Variety reports.

On the benefits side, 30% of Americans think AI makes them more productive, and 28% believe it helps them be more informed.

Do Americans trust the government to regulate AI?

No — and they don't trust companies either. The survey found:

• 67% of Americans have little to no confidence that the U.S. government can regulate AI effectively.
• 59% have little to no confidence that U.S. companies can develop AI responsibly.
• More Democrats than Republicans were skeptical of government regulation.

"AI is no longer the future; for many, it's here and now," said Jeffrey Gottfried, Pew Research Center associate director of research. "Americans are increasingly using chatbots and bringing AI into their homes, but they have a complex relationship with AI. They may use it, but they're still highly skeptical of it and how it will impact our society."

Why don't non-users want to try chatbots?

Pew found that most non-users are simply not interested and have no plans to start. They do not feel like they are missing out. The report frames this as a stable attitude, not a temporary gap waiting to close.

This skepticism sits alongside broader concerns about AI safety practices and the pace of development — a concern that 63% of all Americans share, regardless of whether they use the tools themselves.

How does this fit the broader AI investment picture?

The public wariness documented by Pew comes even as AI capital spending continues to climb. Consumers are adopting the tools while simultaneously doubting the institutions building and overseeing them. That tension is visible in the data on AI regulation and governance debates playing out at the highest levels.

For builders and founders, the Pew data is a reminder that chatbot adoption growth does not automatically translate into public trust or enthusiasm for the technology's direction.

The full Pew report, including detailed demographic breakdowns and methodology, was published on June 17, 2026.