Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, have emerged as innovative tools in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. These platforms have gained traction for their ability to provide quick, conversational responses to a wide range of queries. However, despite their growing popularity, AI chatbots have not become a primary source of news for most Americans. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center from August 18 to 24, 2025, reveals that only a small fraction of U.S. adults rely on AI chatbots for news, with many expressing concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information they encounter. This essay explores the extent to which Americans use AI chatbots for news, the demographic differences in their adoption, and the challenges associated with their perceived trustworthiness.
Limited Use of AI Chatbots for News
According to the Pew Research Center survey, only about one in ten U.S. adults (9%) report getting news from AI chatbots either often (2%) or sometimes (7%). An additional 16% use chatbots for news rarely, while a significant majority—75%—never turn to these platforms for news. Furthermore, fewer than 1% of Americans prefer AI chatbots over traditional news sources, underscoring their limited role in the news ecosystem. This reluctance to embrace chatbots as a primary news source may stem from a combination of factors, including unfamiliarity with the technology, preference for established media outlets, and skepticism about the quality of information provided by AI.
The survey highlights that AI chatbots are far from replacing traditional news sources such as television, newspapers, or online news websites. Instead, they serve as a supplementary tool for a small subset of users who may turn to chatbots for quick answers or summaries. The low adoption rate suggests that while AI chatbots are innovative, they have not yet earned the trust or widespread acceptance needed to compete with conventional news platforms.
Demographic Differences in Chatbot News Consumption
While overall usage of AI chatbots for news remains low, there are notable demographic differences, particularly by age. Younger adults (under 50) are slightly more likely to use chatbots for news compared to their older counterparts. Specifically, 12% of adults under 50 report getting news from AI chatbots at least sometimes, compared to only 6% of those aged 50 and older. This gap is even more pronounced when considering general chatbot usage, as younger generations are more familiar with and open to adopting new technologies.
However, the increased use of chatbots among younger adults comes with a caveat: they are also more likely to encounter inaccurate information. Among those who use AI chatbots for news, 59% of adults aged 18 to 29 and 51% of those aged 30 to 49 report seeing news they believe to be inaccurate at least sometimes. In contrast, 43% of those aged 50 to 64 and 36% of those 65 and older report the same. This discrepancy may reflect younger users’ higher exposure to AI chatbots, which increases their likelihood of encountering errors, or it could indicate a greater awareness of inaccuracies due to their tech-savvy nature. Interestingly, the survey found no significant differences in perceptions of inaccuracy based on political party affiliation or education level, suggesting that concerns about reliability are widespread across various groups.
Challenges with Trust and Accuracy
One of the primary barriers to AI chatbots becoming a trusted news source is the uncertainty surrounding the accuracy of the information they provide. Among Americans who use chatbots for news, about one-third (33%) find it difficult to distinguish between true and false information. Only 24% report that it is easy to determine the veracity of chatbot-generated news, while the largest share (42%) remains unsure. This uncertainty highlights a critical challenge for AI chatbots: building trust among users in an era where misinformation is a significant concern.
Moreover, about half of those who get news from AI chatbots report encountering information they believe to be inaccurate at least sometimes, with 16% saying this happens extremely often or often. Only 22% claim they rarely or never see inaccurate news, while 29% are uncertain about the accuracy of the content they encounter. These findings suggest that AI chatbots struggle to consistently deliver reliable news, which may deter users from relying on them as a primary source of information.
The issue of accuracy is particularly pronounced among younger users, who are both more likely to use chatbots and more likely to encounter inaccuracies. This creates a paradox: the demographic most open to adopting AI chatbots for news is also the most likely to question their reliability. Addressing this issue will be crucial for AI developers aiming to expand the role of chatbots in the news ecosystem.
Implications for the Future of News Consumption
The limited adoption of AI chatbots as news sources reflects broader challenges in the integration of AI into the information landscape. While chatbots offer the potential for personalized, on-demand news delivery, their current limitations—particularly in terms of accuracy and trustworthiness—prevent them from gaining widespread acceptance. The Pew Research Center’s findings align with broader concerns about AI’s impact on the news environment, as many Americans foresee negative effects on journalists and the quality of news due to the rise of AI technologies.
To overcome these challenges, AI developers must prioritize improving the accuracy and transparency of chatbot-generated content. This could involve implementing clearer mechanisms for sourcing information, flagging uncertainties, or integrating human oversight to verify critical news outputs. Additionally, public education efforts could help users better understand how to evaluate the information provided by AI chatbots, potentially increasing trust and adoption over time.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini represent a novel but underutilized tool for news consumption in the United States. While a small minority of Americans, particularly younger adults, turn to these platforms for news, the vast majority do not, and even fewer prefer them over traditional sources. Concerns about accuracy and the difficulty of discerning truth from falsehood pose significant barriers to their widespread adoption. As AI technology evolves, addressing these challenges will be essential for chatbots to play a more prominent role in the news ecosystem. For now, they remain a niche tool, offering convenience but struggling to earn the trust required to become a mainstream news source.