The Evolving Role of Chatbots in News Consumption in the U.S.
How Often People Use Chatbots for News
Younger Adults Engage More
Mixed Views on Reliability
Context in the Media Landscape
The Rise of AI Chatbots: A Companion, Not a News Source
Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming an integral part of our daily lives in the United States, yet they are not being widely adopted for one of their potential purposes: news consumption. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that despite the increasing prevalence of chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, the majority of adults are hesitant to rely on them for news updates.
How Often People Use Chatbots for News
The statistics tell a telling story. Only a mere 2% of U.S. adults report using chatbots for news often, while 7% say they do so sometimes. Another 16% fall into the rarely category, leaving a staggering 75% who claim they never turn to chatbots for news. Those who prefer chatbots to traditional sources like television, dedicated news websites, or social media platforms represent less than 1% of the population—a stark reminder of the enduring power of conventional news sources.
Younger Adults Engage More
When looking at how different age groups interact with chatbots, younger adults, particularly those under 50, are more inclined to engage with these technologies for news. Approximately 12% of individuals in this age group use them at least occasionally, compared to just 6% of those aged 50 and older. However, this engagement comes with a caveat: younger users report encountering a higher rate of inaccurate stories. Nearly 60% of those aged 18 to 29 have stumbled upon news from chatbots that appeared false, whereas just over a third of the 65-and-older demographic express similar experiences.
Mixed Views on Reliability
The reliability of chatbot-generated news content remains a contentious issue. Around one-third of chatbot users say it’s challenging to determine what information is accurate. In contrast, a quarter find it easier to navigate facts through these platforms. A significant portion—40%—remain uncertain about the reliability of the information they receive. Though half of the users occasionally encounter what they suspect might be inaccurate information, a smaller group reports frequently or rarely experiencing errors.
Context in the Media Landscape
In the broader media landscape, traditional sources like search engines and social platforms continue to dominate news consumption. A Pew survey from last year indicated that nearly 25% of U.S. adults rely on search engines, with Google being the preferred choice. TikTok has seen a remarkable surge in its role as a news source, with one in five adults now getting news updates from the platform, a jump from just 3% five years ago.
In contrast, studies regarding the use of ChatGPT reveal that individuals predominantly seek these tools for practical assistance—be it for learning, homework help, or everyday advice—rather than for news updates. This pattern highlights a significant gap in the perceived usefulness of AI chatbots for news consumption compared to their other functionalities.
As AI chatbots like ChatGPT evolve, the public’s reluctance to use them as primary sources for news may require a rethink of the information these technologies provide. Until then, conventional methods of news consumption continue to hold sway in the hearts and minds of most Americans.
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