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Why Don’t Some People Use Chatbots?

Evidence type
Survey
Sample
n = 5,119
Sources
1 sourceJournalism
Published
2 min read
Truvace record
TRV-2026-2875cite or check it

About half of U.S. adults never use chatbots, and most non-users cite disinterest, privacy or accuracy concerns.

The problem

In a Pew Research Center survey of 5,119 U.S. adults in February 2026, 79% of those who never use chatbots said privacy worries were a reason and 76% said they don't trust the accuracy of the answers.

In brief

Pew Research Center's February 2026 survey of 5,119 U.S. adults found that 51% never use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, while 49% do. Among those who never use them, 83% said lack of interest was a reason, 79% cited privacy and 76% cited accuracy.

Use splits sharply by age. Of adults 65 and older, 77% never use chatbots, as do 58% of those 50 to 64, against 34% of adults 18 to 29 and 39% of those 30 to 49. Asian adults (English speakers only) were the least likely to be non-users at 29%, versus 54% of White, 50% of Hispanic and 51% of Black adults.

Non-users show little sign of changing course soon. About two-thirds say they are unlikely to use a chatbot in the next 12 months, and only 5% say they are very or extremely likely to. The findings are self-reported attitudes and intentions, not measured behaviour.

Main points

  1. The survey of 5,119 U.S. adults ran Feb. 17 to 23, 2026, through Pew's American Trends Panel, and 51% said they never use AI chatbots.
  2. Non-use rises with age: 77% of adults 65 and older, 58% of those 50 to 64, 39% of those 30 to 49 and 34% of those 18 to 29.
  3. By race and ethnicity, 54% of White, 51% of Black, 50% of Hispanic and 29% of Asian adults never use chatbots.
  4. Among non-users, 60% called lack of interest a major reason (83% counting minor reasons); 54% called privacy a major reason (79% in total).
  5. Among non-users, 45% called distrust of accuracy a major reason and 30% a minor one, for 76% in total.
  6. Not knowing how to use chatbots was a reason for 55% of non-users, a major one for 29%; fear of being judged was cited by only 14%, a major reason for 3%.
  7. Two-thirds of non-users (67%) say they are unlikely to use chatbots in the next 12 months, including 40% who say not at all likely.

The full story

Pew asked U.S. adults whether they ever use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. The result was 49% ever use and 51% never use, from a panel weighted to represent the full adult population. Pew describes the analysis as an excerpt from a broader June 2026 study on Americans and AI.

Age is the clearest dividing line. Roughly three-quarters of adults 65 and older never use chatbots, and a smaller but still majority share of 50 to 64-year-olds say the same. Adults under 50 are the least likely to be non-users, at about four in ten or fewer.

Non-users were asked about five possible reasons. Lack of interest led (60% major, 23% minor), followed by privacy (54% and 24%) and accuracy (45% and 30%). Not knowing how to use the tools was a major reason for 29%, and 3% named fear of judgment as a major reason.

Most non-users do not see themselves missing out. Looking ahead 12 months, 67% say they are not too or not at all likely to use chatbots, 16% somewhat likely, 5% extremely or very likely and 12% not sure.

Sources

1 on file
  1. Pew Research Centerpewresearch.org
    Journalism2026-10-09

Talk it over

Four questions to start onWho carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

Start with a question

Why Don’t Some People Use Chatbots?https://truvace.com/item/why-dont-some-people-use-chatbots

  1. Who carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

    The problem In a Pew Research Center survey of 5,119 U.S. adults in February 2026, 79% of those who never use chatbots said privacy worries were a reason and 76% said they don't trust the accuracy of the answers.

    Answer in the thread

  2. How do we know? What can this kind of evidence show, and what can’t it?

    The evidence This rests on a survey with a sample of 5,119, from Pew Research Center.

    Answer in the thread

  3. What does it leave open? What else would you want to know before acting on it?

    The record’s own caveat Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only, and the findings are self-reported reasons and intentions rather than observed behaviour.

    Answer in the thread

  4. Have you seen AI used this way where you study, work or live? Did it go the same way?

    Answer in the thread

The questions are the same on every record. The details under them are taken from this record as written.

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