A new poll has found that most adults in the United States have used artificial intelligence for online searches. Younger people report using it more frequently than older age groups, and for more types of tasks.
Online Search Remains the Main Use
Among all surveyed adults, 6 in 10 said they use AI at least sometimes to find information online. That rate rises to nearly three-quarters for people under the age of 30. Searching is the most common AI-related activity, based on the eight categories included in the poll.
This may understate its true usage, since many search engines now include AI-generated summaries automatically. People may be receiving answers produced by AI without realising it.
Work-Related Use Is Still Limited
The data also shows that AI has not become a major part of most workplaces. About 4 in 10 adults said they have used AI to assist with work tasks. A smaller share mentioned using it for email writing, creative projects, or entertainment. Fewer than one in four reported using AI for shopping.
Younger users are more likely to include AI in their work. Some use it to plan meals or generate ideas, while others rely on it to help write or code. Still, this type of usage remains less common among the general public.
Generational Differences Are Clear
Younger adults are more engaged with AI overall. Around 6 in 10 of those under 30 said they have used it to brainstorm. Only about 2 in 10 older adults said the same. Daily use for idea generation is more frequent among people in their twenties.
Older users show less interest in applying AI beyond basic information lookups. They tend to avoid using it for more personal or technical tasks.
AI Companionship Is Rare
The least common form of interaction with AI was companionship. Fewer than 2 in 10 adults overall reported using AI for that purpose. Among people under 30, the rate rises to about a quarter.
The survey results suggest that this type of usage remains outside the mainstream. Most people do not view AI as a substitute for personal interaction, although some younger users said they understand why others might explore it.
Overall Usage Remains Focused
The findings indicate that while AI tools have entered public use, they are still seen as limited-purpose systems. Most interactions involve information searches, and regular use beyond that is less frequent. Adoption has grown, but remains uneven across tasks and age groups.
The poll was conducted by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research between July 10 and July 14. It included 1,437 adults drawn from a representative national sample, with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
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