US adults reject AI chatbots: Pew Research cites lack of interest over technical barriers

Pew Research Center data reveals that AI chatbot adoption in the United States remains below parity. A slight majority of adults report never using these conversational tools, challenging assumptions about universal tech acceptance.

What happened

Pew Research Center surveyed US adults regarding their interaction with artificial intelligence chatbots. The findings indicate that 51 percent of respondents are non-users, establishing refuseniks as the majority group. This statistic contradicts narratives suggesting widespread, inevitable adoption of conversational AI interfaces across the general population.

Usage patterns vary significantly by age demographic. Among adults aged 65 and older, roughly three-quarters report never using chatbots. The 50 to 64 age bracket also shows low engagement, with 58 percent of individuals in this group abstaining from use. Even among the youngest cohort, aged 18 to 29, where usage peaks at 66 percent, one-third of respondents still never interact with these tools.

Racial and ethnic differences also emerge in the data. Non-users are more likely to identify as white, Black, or Hispanic compared to Asian respondents, according to Pew’s survey results. These demographic splits highlight uneven adoption rates that do not align solely with technological access or literacy levels.

Why it matters

The primary barrier to adoption is psychological rather than technical. Six in ten non-users identified a simple lack of interest as the major factor preventing them from using chatbots. This contrasts with common assumptions that older or less tech-savvy users avoid AI due to an inability to operate the software.

Fewer than a third of non-users cited not knowing how to use the technology as a significant deterrent. Additionally, social stigma plays a minimal role, with fewer than one in five respondents worried about others’ perceptions. Data privacy concerns and worries about answer accuracy followed interest as secondary reasons for abstention.

Future adoption appears unlikely for the majority of abstainers. Two-thirds of non-users say they are unlikely to try chatbots in the next 12 months. Forty percent are completely unconvinced they will change their minds, while only five percent anticipate probable usage in the coming year.

Next steps

• Monitor internal employee engagement metrics to identify resistance to AI tools.
• Assess whether lack of interest stems from poor user experience design.
• Review privacy policies to address secondary concerns about data handling.
• Evaluate training programs to ensure they address usability, not just capability.

What to do and how to stay safe: AI chatbots

• Audit current AI tool usage rates within your organisation to identify non-adopters.
• Survey staff to determine if resistance is due to interest, privacy, or usability issues.
• Ensure AI interfaces provide clear value propositions to address apathy.
• Maintain robust data privacy controls to mitigate secondary concerns about information security.

Step-by-step guide: Wifi router security: Stop hidden admin access from leaking data

General security guidance from the Packet Tribune newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Why do US adults refuse to use AI chatbots?

Pew Research found that six in ten non-users cite lack of interest as the main reason, rather than technical inability or social stigma.

Which age group uses chatbots the most?

Adults aged 18 to 29 have the highest usage rate at 66 percent, though one-third of this group still never uses them.

Are non-users likely to start using chatbots soon?

No, two-thirds of non-users say they are unlikely to use the technology in the next 12 months, with 40 percent being completely unlikely.