Nearly 80% of Americans say they use AI tools at least once a day
A national survey of 1,000 American adults by the University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation found that 76% of respondents said they use artificial intelligence tools at least occasionally on a typical day, while 24% said they have never used them.
About 80% of adults ages 18 to 49 reported using AI, compared with 65% among those ages 65 and older. Fifteen percent of adults ages 18 to 29 said they use it more than five times a day. Among adults with a four-year college degree or graduate degree, 84% reported having used AI at least somewhat, while the figure was 68% for those with a high school education or less.
Twelve percent of AI users said they use the tools for companionship or conversation, and the share was higher among those ages 18 to 49. The survey also found that users who use AI for companionship were more likely to believe chatbots can match human therapists in some problem-solving abilities.
Original sources:
Title: New survey finds AI use widespread, with some turning to chatbots for companionship Publisher: University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation Publication date: 2026-10-15 URL: https://cssi.research.uiowa.edu/news/2026/10/new-survey-finds-ai-use-widespread-some-turning-chatbots-companionship Nature of source: Published by a university research institution Verification status: Read this time, accessed on 2026-10-28 Supporting content: 1,000 respondents, 76% used at least occasionally on a typical day, age and education differences, 12% used for companionship
Title: SurveyHarvest Yield Reports Publisher: University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation Publication date: 2026-10-16 URL: https://cssi.research.uiowa.edu/tags/surveyharvest-yield-reports Nature of source: Published by a university research institution Verification status: Read this time, accessed on 2026-10-28 Supporting content: Confirms the survey is part of the SurveyHarvest project and the main findings
ABAB AI Insight
The survey was conducted by the University of Iowa Center for Social Science Innovation through the SurveyHarvest project, with a sample of 1,000 American adults. The results show that AI use is already fairly common, but frequency and group differences are clear: younger and more highly educated groups use it at higher rates, and those who use it multiple times a day are concentrated among younger people.
In addition to functional use, 12% of AI users use it for companionship or conversation. This group is more likely to believe that chatbots can be close to human therapists in terms of problem-solving ability. The survey did not provide market share data for specific tools.
Related surveys from other institutions such as the Pew Research Center show that the use of AI chatbots among American adults has risen in recent years, but daily interaction frequency data vary because of differences in question design. This survey focuses on typical daily usage frequency and companionship use.
ABAB News · Cognitive Law
76% of respondents use AI tools at least occasionally on a typical day.
Younger and more highly educated groups use them at significantly higher rates.
12% of AI users use them for companionship or conversation.