About half of U.S. adults now use AI chatbots, up from a third in 2024, but most remain skeptical that AI will benefit them personally or society.

What happened: A Pew Research Center survey conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026 found that about half of U.S. adults report using AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot—a substantial increase from a third in 2024. About a quarter use chatbots daily. Among those who use them, searching for information and work-related tasks are the most common uses, cited by roughly four-in-ten and 38% of employed adults respectively.

Why it matters: Despite rising usage, Americans—including younger adults—are deeply skeptical of AI's impact. The survey found that majorities of adults predict AI will have a negative rather than positive impact on them personally and on society, and most think AI is advancing too quickly and will put their personal information at risk. This gap between adoption and trust may shape how businesses and policymakers approach AI rollout.

What to watch: ChatGPT's reach continues to dominate and grow; the share of Americans who use it has more than doubled since 2023, reaching 44% in 2026. Beyond chatbots, about a third of Americans say they have a smart speaker, though smaller shares own a doorbell or thermostat with AI features, signaling limited penetration of AI-enabled smart home devices so far.