Artificial intelligence-powered chatbots — programs designed to mimic real human conversation — are becoming a fixture in everyday American life, according to a newly released poll from the Pew Research Center.
The survey found that the majority of people who use chatbots rely on them to assist with tasks related to work or school, or to look up information online. Those findings aren’t entirely surprising given how rapidly the technology has grown.
What may raise eyebrows, however, is the emotional role these tools are beginning to play for some users. The poll found that 10% of Americans are turning to chatbots for emotional support, while 4% say they use them specifically for companionship — a finding that some may find unsettling.
The data also shows a clear generational divide, with younger Americans adopting chatbot technology at a much faster rate than their older counterparts.
