Why Most Americans Are Not Using AI for News

While a growing number of Americans are experimenting with artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT, these tools are far from becoming a primary source for news and information.

AI Chatbots: Not a Go-To News Source

A recent survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that the vast majority of people in the U.S. are not turning to AI for their daily updates. The data shows that a mere 9% of U.S. adults get news from chatbots often (2%) or sometimes (7%). Another 16% report using them rarely for this purpose.

This leaves a staggering 75% of Americans who say they never get news from AI chatbots.

Furthermore, when it comes to preference, the numbers are even more stark. Fewer than 1% of Americans state that they would prefer to get their news from a chatbot over other traditional or digital news sources.

A Generational Divide in AI News Consumption

Unsurprisingly, age plays a role in adoption. Adults under 50 are slightly more inclined to use chatbots for news, with 12% doing so at least sometimes, compared to just 6% of those over 50. However, this gap is much smaller than the age-related differences seen in general chatbot usage, suggesting that even younger, more tech-savvy audiences are hesitant to rely on AI for news.

Trust and Accuracy Concerns Among AI News Users

For the small group of Americans who do use AI for news, the experience is filled with uncertainty. A key challenge is verifying the information provided.

A third of these users admit they find it difficult to determine what is true and what is not. In contrast, only 24% feel it is easy, while the largest group (42%) remains unsure.

This uncertainty is compounded by direct encounters with false information. About half of those who get news from AI chatbots say they at least sometimes encounter news they believe is inaccurate. This includes 16% who report seeing misinformation often or extremely often.

Younger Users More Skeptical of AI-Generated News

Interestingly, the same younger demographics that are more likely to use chatbots are also more likely to report seeing inaccurate information. Among those who use AI for news:

• 59% of adults aged 18-29 say they at least sometimes see inaccurate news.
• 51% of those aged 30-49 report the same.

These figures are significantly higher than for older users, where 43% of those 50-64 and 36% of those 65 and older say they have seen inaccurate news. This suggests that while younger users are more open to experimenting with AI, they also bring a higher level of skepticism to the content they consume. These findings align with broader public concerns about AI's potential negative impact on journalism.

In conclusion, despite the rapid advancements in AI, its role as a trusted news provider remains minimal. Widespread user skepticism, fueled by frequent encounters with inaccurate information, presents a major obstacle to adoption.