Chatbot refuseniks edge out users in the US, and they’re not for turning

In the United States, approximately 51 percent of adults are classified as "chatbot refuseniks," meaning they do not use AI tools, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The majority of non-users, 58 percent, are aged 65 and older, while 66 percent of adults aged 50 to 64 also refrain from using chatbots. Those aged 18 to 29 are the most likely to use chatbots, with 66 percent of this age group utilizing the technology.

Despite this, even half of adults aged 18 to 29 report never using chatbots. Sixty percent of non-users cite a simple lack of interest as the primary reason for not using chatbots, followed by concerns over data privacy and the accuracy of AI responses. Surprisingly, only a third of non-users mention not knowing how to operate chatbots as a reason, dispelling the notion that older adults avoid them due to tech-savviness.

Social stigma is not a significant deterrent either, as less than one-fifth of non-users claim to worry about others' perceptions of their use of the technology. The survey also revealed that non-users are predominantly white, black or Hispanic, with Asian non-users being less common. Adoption of chatbots is unlikely to change in the next year for 67 percent of non-users, with 40 percent expressing zero likelihood of changing their mind. Only 5 percent of non-users anticipate trying a chatbot within the next year.