# What do Americans think AI is? > Source: > Published: 2026-06-17 13:46:24+00:00 The existence of artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a question of if to when, and now. But when people think of AI, they associate it with a range of things – from chatbots to smartwatches or even science fiction. “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” | Percent | | |---|---| | Chatbots | 29% | | Robots & sci-fi | 8% | | Images & videos | 7% | | Generative AI & LLMs | 6% | | Internet & tech generally | 4% | | Negative views of AI | 4% | | Search engines | 3% | “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” For the first time, Pew Research Center asked Americans: What technology comes to mind when you first think of AI? We found that **not only are more people using chatbots, this is the most common technology people first associate with AI. **About three-in-ten answer with chatbots generally or name specific brands when asked about the first technology that comes to mind when thinking of AI, according to a survey of 5,119 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 17-23, 2026. **About one-in-ten mention robots and science-fiction, **including films like “The Terminator” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Roughly similar shares name images and videos or generative AI and large language models (LLMs) first. Meanwhile, 3%-4% cite the internet or technology generally (e.g., computers or phones), a negative view of AI, or search engines as being top of mind. [Go to the topline](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/06/PI_2026.06.17_Americans-and-AI_TOPLINE.pdf) for the full list of categories. This is part of a larger study of Americans about their experiences and views of AI. [Jump to the main report](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/06/17/americans-and-ai-2026-chatbots-smart-devices-and-views-on-impact/) for more. ### How often do Americans think they interact with AI? “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” | Almost constantly/Several times a day | About once a day/Several times a week | Less often | | |---|---|---|---| | U.S. adults | 36% | 30% | 34% | “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” As AI continues to expand into different tools, some say they are regularly interacting with this technology. Today,** nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults say they engage with AI at least several times a day.** This includes 7% who report doing so almost constantly. Another three-in-ten say they do so about once a day or several times a week. And about a third report engaging with AI less often. ### How aware are Americans of AI? Note: Figures may not add up to NET values due to rounding. Those who said “nothing at all” or did not answer are not shown. “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” | A lot | A little | NET | | |---|---|---|---| | 2022 | 26% | 59% | 85% | | 2023 | 33% | 56% | 90% | | 2024 | 40% | 53% | 94% | | 2025 | 47% | 48% | 95% | | 2026* | 48% | 48% | 96% | Note: Figures may not add up to NET values due to rounding. Those who said “nothing at all” or did not answer are not shown. “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” As AI becomes part of daily life, [more people are calling for ways to increase AI literacy](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/business/ai-literacy-faq.html). Overall, awareness of AI is now nearly universal: 96% of adults say they know at least a little about AI. In fact, **the share who say they’ve heard a lot about AI has grown substantially** over the past five years. Today, that group is about half of U.S. adults, up from 26% in 2022. *% of U.S. adults who say they have heard __ about AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot* “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” *% of U.S. adults who say they have heard __ about AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot* | A lot | A little | NET | | |---|---|---|---| | 2024 | 28% | 44% | 72% | | 2026 | 44% | 43% | 87% | “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” **Americans have also become far more aware of chatbots over the past couple years**. Roughly nine-in-ten U.S. adults report hearing at least a little about these tools, including 44% who have heard a lot. This is far higher than in August 2024. Then, about seven-in-ten Americans had heard of chatbots, with 28% reporting hearing a lot. #### Confidence in using chatbots “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” | Percent | | |---|---| | Extremely/Very | 18% | | Somewhat | 22% | | Not too/Not at all | 8% | | Does not use AI chatbots | 51% | “Americans and AI 2026: Chatbots, Smart Devices and Views on Impact” When it comes to the public’s confidence in using chatbots, **about one-in-five adults are extremely or very confident in their ability to use a chatbot.** A slightly larger share report that they are somewhat confident. Fewer Americans lack confidence in using chatbots. About one-in-ten say they are not too or not at all confident using these tools. About half of adults do not use chatbots at all.