Racial and ethnic differences in the use and views of AI among U.S. adults.

About this study

The study is the latest effort by Pew Research Center to examine how Americans use and view artificial intelligence (AI). The study also takes a closer look at who uses chatbots and owns smart home devices with AI capabilities. We also explore how people think AI will impact society and individuals.

Why did I do this?

The center conducts research to inform the public, journalists, and decision makers. Tracking the rise of AI in society has been a key priority for us for many years. It’s important to understand how people use AI in their lives and how they feel these tools impact themselves and society.

Learn more about Pew Research Center.

How did they do this?

We surveyed 5,119 U.S. adults from February 17 to 23, 2026. All participants in this study are members of the center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). This survey is representative of the opinions of the entire U.S. adult population.

The questions, overview, and research methods used in this report include:

The way Americans use and think about artificial intelligence (AI) is not the same across groups, and race and ethnicity are often a big factor.

Adults in Asia stand out in their use of chatbots and are more optimistic about the future and impact of AI.

This is part of a larger study by Pew Research Center on how U.S. adults use and think about AI. Jump to the main story for more information.

AI chatbot usage and recognition

	every day	Less than a few times a week	AI chatbots are being used online
US adults	twenty four	twenty five	49
white	20	26	46
hispanic	26	twenty three	49
black	twenty four	twenty five	49
Asian*	47	twenty three	70

Overall, about half of U.S. adults say they use chatbots. However, this rate is higher among Asian adults.

Seven in 10 Asian adults say they use these tools. In contrast, roughly less than half of Hispanic, Black, or White adults report doing so.

This pattern is similar to the one found in 2024.

Asian Americans are also more likely to say they use chatbots every day. About half report doing so, compared with about a quarter or less of Hispanic, black, and white Americans.

AI chatbot awareness

	a lot	a bit	Have you heard of NET AI chatbot?
US adults	44	43	87
white	41	46	87
hispanic	41	43	84
black	44	39	83
Asian*	68	27	95

The majority of Americans know at least something about AI chatbots. but Asian Americans in particular are more likely to say they have heard of these tools.

About 7 in 10 Asian adults say this. By comparison, fewer than half of black, Hispanic, and white adults say the same.

Broader AI awareness generally follows a similar pattern.

How to use a chatbot

Americans use chatbots in a variety of ways, especially for information retrieval and work tasks for those employed.

Legend that gets darker in blue to indicate range

	white	hispanic	black	Asian*
To find information	39	41	42	66
For tasks at work (among employed adults)	36	37	36	60
for fun and entertainment	twenty two	27	28	35
To create or edit images and videos	twenty two	twenty four	twenty three	38
How to get medical advice	18	twenty three	twenty one	39
Get information about diet and fitness	16	twenty five	twenty one	31
How to get news	10	17	18	29
If you need emotional support or advice	7	13	15	17
for friendship	2	7	5	9

	white	hispanic	black	Asian*
To find information	39	41	42	66
For tasks at work (among employed adults)	36	37	36	60
for fun and entertainment	twenty two	27	28	35
To create or edit images and videos	twenty two	twenty four	twenty three	38
How to get medical advice	18	twenty three	twenty one	39
Get information about diet and fitness	16	twenty five	twenty one	31
How to get news	10	17	18	29
If you need emotional support or advice	7	13	15	17
for friendship	2	7	5	9

still, Asian adults are much more likely to use chatbots to search for information than other groups. About two-thirds of Asian adults do this, compared to about four in 10 Hispanic, black, and white adults.

Similarly, 60% of employed Asian adults use chatbots for workplace tasks. This is higher than the percentage for Hispanic, black, and white workers.

Adults of Asian descent are also most likely to: Create or edit images or videos, seek medical advice and get news using a chatbot.

White adults are the least likely to use chatbots in several different ways, including getting news, diet, and fitness information.

Views on AI

In addition to the high usage rate of chatbots, Asian adults are the only group with more positive than negative views about the impact of AI on individuals.

	question	negative	positive	both similarly	I don’t know
US adults	society	40	16	31	13
white	society	43	15	30	12
hispanic	society	36	18	29	18
black	society	35	15	32	18
Asian*	society	twenty four	30	38	8
US adults	They personally	31	twenty three	27	19
white	They personally	33	twenty one	27	18
hispanic	They personally	26	twenty three	twenty five	twenty four
black	They personally	26	20	26	27
Asian*	They personally	20	41	29	10

For example, Asian adults are nearly twice as likely to say AI will have a positive impact on individuals over the next 20 years as they are to say it will have a negative impact (41% vs. 20%).

Asian adults are also more likely than other groups to say technology has a positive impact on society. Perspectives on social impact are negative for white, Hispanic, and black Americans.

But people generally agree that AI is progressing too fast. Majorities in each group say so, including more than six in 10 white, Hispanic and Asian adults, and more than half of black adults. Within each group, far fewer say AI is progressing at an appropriate pace, and almost none say it’s progressing too slowly.

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