Artificial intelligence chatbots are gaining users in the United States, but news is not the main reason people use them. A recent Pew Research Center survey shows that most adults still avoid relying on tools like ChatGPT or Gemini for news updates.
How Often People Use Chatbots for News
Only a small share of U.S. adults report getting news this way. About 2% say they do it often and 7% say they do it sometimes. Another 16% say they rarely use chatbots for news, while 75% say they never do. Fewer than 1% prefer chatbots over other options such as television, websites, or social platforms.
Younger Adults Engage More
People under 50 are more likely to check news with chatbots. Twelve percent in that age group say they use them at least sometimes, compared with 6% of those 50 and older. Younger users also report seeing more inaccurate stories. Nearly six in ten of those aged 18 to 29 say they have come across news from chatbots that seemed wrong, compared with just over a third of those 65 and older.
Mixed Views on Reliability
Experiences with chatbot news vary. Around one-third of users say it is hard to judge what is true, while a quarter say they find it easier to sort out facts. Four in ten are unsure. About half of chatbot news users say they sometimes encounter information they think is inaccurate. A smaller group say they see it often, while another group say it rarely or never happens.
Context in the Media Landscape
Search engines and social platforms remain far more influential for news. A Pew survey last year showed nearly a quarter of U.S. adults often get news through search engines, most commonly Google. TikTok has also expanded its role, with one in five adults now getting news there, up from 3% five years ago.
By comparison, studies of ChatGPT use show that people mainly turn to it for practical help. Many use it for learning, homework, or everyday advice rather than following the news cycle.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next:
• TikTok Faces Scrutiny Over Exposure of Minors to Pornographic Content in UK[1]
• AI Chatbots Use Emotional Pressure to Keep People From Logging Off[2]
References
- ^ TikTok Faces Scrutiny Over Exposure of Minors to Pornographic Content in UK (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ AI Chatbots Use Emotional Pressure to Keep People From Logging Off (www.digitalinformationworld.com)