What do Americans think AI is?
This study is Pew Research Center’s latest effort to explore how Americans use and view artificial intelligence (AI). The study also dives into who uses chatbots and has smart home devices with AI features. It also explores what impact people think AI will have on society and on them, personally.
The Center conducts research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers. Tracking the rise of AI in society has been a key priority for us over the years. It’s important to understand how people use AI in their lives and how they feel these tools will impact themselves and society.
Learn more about Pew Research Center.
We surveyed 5,119 U.S. adults from Feb. 17 to 23, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.
Here are the questions used for this report, the topline and the survey methodology.
The existence of artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a question of if to when, and now. But when people think of AI, they associate it with a range of things – from chatbots to smartwatches or even science fiction.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Percent | |
|---|---|
Chatbots | 29% |
Robots & sci-fi | 8% |
Images & videos | 7% |
Generative AI & LLMs | 6% |
Internet & tech generally | 4% |
Negative views of AI | 4% |
Search engines | 3% |
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
For the first time, Pew Research Center asked Americans: What technology comes to mind when you first think of AI?
We found that not only are more people using chatbots, this is the most common technology people first associate with AI. About three-in-ten answer with chatbots generally or name specific brands when asked about the first technology that comes to mind when thinking of AI, according to a survey of 5,119 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
About one-in-ten mention robots and science-fiction, including films like “The Terminator” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Roughly similar shares name images and videos or generative AI and large language models (LLMs) first.
Meanwhile, 3%-4% cite the internet or technology generally (e.g., computers or phones), a negative view of AI, or search engines as being top of mind.
Go to the topline for the full list of categories. This is part of a larger study of Americans about their experiences and views of AI. Jump to the main report for more.
36% of Americans say they interact with AI at least several times a day
% of U.S. adults who say they interact with AI …
363034Almost constantly/ Several times a dayAbout once a day/Several times a weekLess often
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
36% of Americans say they interact with AI at least several times a day
% of U.S. adults who say they interact with AI …
Almost constantly/Several times a day | About once a day/Several times a week | Less often | |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. adults | 36% | 30% | 34% |
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
As AI continues to expand into different tools, some say they are regularly interacting with this technology.
Today, nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults say they engage with AI at least several times a day. This includes 7% who report doing so almost constantly.
Another three-in-ten say they do so about once a day or several times a week. And about a third report engaging with AI less often.
Note: Figures may not add up to NET values due to rounding. Those who said “nothing at all” or did not answer are not shown.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
A lot | A little | NET | |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 26% | 59% | 85% |
2023 | 33% | 56% | 90% |
2024 | 40% | 53% | 94% |
2025 | 47% | 48% | 95% |
2026* | 48% | 48% | 96% |
Note: Figures may not add up to NET values due to rounding. Those who said “nothing at all” or did not answer are not shown.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
As AI becomes part of daily life, more people are calling for ways to increase AI literacy. Overall, awareness of AI is now nearly universal: 96% of adults say they know at least a little about AI.
In fact, the share who say they’ve heard a lot about AI has grown substantially over the past five years. Today, that group is about half of U.S. adults, up from 26% in 2022.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
A lot | A little | NET | |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 28% | 44% | 72% |
2026 | 44% | 43% | 87% |
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Americans have also become far more aware of chatbots over the past couple years. Roughly nine-in-ten U.S. adults report hearing at least a little about these tools, including 44% who have heard a lot.
This is far higher than in August 2024. Then, about seven-in-ten Americans had heard of chatbots, with 28% reporting hearing a lot.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Percent | |
|---|---|
Extremely/Very | 18% |
Somewhat | 22% |
Not too/Not at all | 8% |
Does not use AI chatbots | 51% |
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
When it comes to the public’s confidence in using chatbots, about one-in-five adults are extremely or very confident in their ability to use a chatbot. A slightly larger share report that they are somewhat confident.
Fewer Americans lack confidence in using chatbots. About one-in-ten say they are not too or not at all confident using these tools. About half of adults do not use chatbots at all.
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About this research
This study is Pew Research Center’s latest effort to explore how Americans use and view artificial intelligence (AI). The study also dives into who uses chatbots and has smart home devices with AI features. It also explores what impact people think AI will have on society and on them, personally.
The Center conducts research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers. Tracking the rise of AI in society has been a key priority for us over the years. It’s important to understand how people use AI in their lives and how they feel these tools will impact themselves and society.
Learn more about Pew Research Center.
We surveyed 5,119 U.S. adults from Feb. 17 to 23, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.
Here are the questions used for this report, the topline and the survey methodology.
Although chatbot use is rising in the United States, about half of U.S. adults say they never use one, according to Pew Research Center’s February survey of U.S. adults.
And for now, these non-users don’t feel like they’re missing out – most are not interested and have no plans to use chatbots soon.
Majority of Americans 50 and older don’t use chatbots
% of U.S. adults who say they __ AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Majority of Americans 50 and older don’t use chatbots
% of U.S. adults who say they __ AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot
Group | Ever use | Do not ever use | |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. adults | total | 49% | 51% |
Ages 18-29 | age | 66% | 34% |
30-49 | age | 61% | 39% |
50-64 | age | 42% | 58% |
65+ | age | 23% | 77% |
White | race/eth | 46% | 54% |
Hispanic | race/eth | 49% | 50% |
Black | race/eth | 49% | 51% |
Asian* | race/eth | 70% | 29% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
This is part of a broader survey on Americans’ views of and experiences with artificial intelligence (AI). To learn more, read the report overview.
Older adults are often less likely to be the first adopters of new technologies. Chatbot use follows a similar pattern.
Roughly three-quarters of adults 65 and older say they never use chatbots. A smaller share – though still a majority – of those ages 50 to 64 say the same. Adults under 50 are the least likely to not use these tools. About four-in-ten or less report not using them.
Differences also exist by race and ethnicity. Non-adopters are more likely to be White, Black and Hispanic than Asian.
New technologies are rarely adopted equally across populations. As chatbots are spreading into the daily lives of many, some opt out by choice while others aren’t sure how to keep up.
To better understand what’s behind non-adoption, we asked those who don’t use these tools about five potential reasons they don’t use chatbots.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Major reason | Minor reason | NET | |
|---|---|---|---|
Not interested in using them | 60% | 23% | 83% |
Concerned about how their personal information will be used | 54% | 24% | 79% |
Don’t trust them to give accurate information | 45% | 30% | 76% |
Don’t know how to use them | 29% | 26% | 55% |
Think others will judge them for it | 3% | 11% | 14% |
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Majorities of those who don’t use chatbots say it’s due to lack of interest, privacy concerns, potential inaccuracies or not knowing how.
But there are differences in the degree to which they cite these reasons.
Six-in-ten non-adopters cite lack of interest as a major factor behind not using these tools. This is followed by concerns about data privacy and accuracy.
Less than a third point to not knowing how to use chatbots as a major reason why they don’t use it.
Few – less than one-in-five – cite fear of judgment as a reason for avoiding these tools.
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Percent | |
|---|---|
Not too/Not at all | 67% |
Somewhat | 16% |
Extremely/Very | 5% |
Not sure | 12% |
“Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact”
Most who don’t use chatbots say they won’t use these tools in the near future.
Roughly seven-in-ten adults who don’t use chatbots say they’re unlikely to use the technology in the next 12 months. This includes 40% who say they’re not at all likely to.
Only 5% of chatbot non-users think it’s highly likely they’ll use a chatbot over the next year. Another 16% say they’re somewhat likely.
About one-in-ten say they’re not sure about whether they will use these tools or not.