Study Reveals Limited Regular Use of ChatGPT and Other AI Tools by Users

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, dominate the headlines these days, yet a recent study reveals that regular usage remains low. Conducted by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University, the research gathered insights from 6,000 participants in the U.S., U.K., France, Denmark, Japan, and Argentina. The findings spotlight OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the most popular generative-AI tool, outpacing competitors like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot by two to three times.

Despite the buzz around generative AI over the last 18 months, daily usage is strikingly low: only 1% of respondents in Japan reported using ChatGPT daily, while France and the U.K. had a mere 2%, and 7% in the U.S. Additionally, between 19% and 30% of participants were unfamiliar with the leading generative AI products. Many individuals have attempted to use these tools at least once, but only a small fraction currently employs them regularly for various tasks.

Unsurprisingly, younger demographics are more inclined to regularly engage with generative AI. The study indicated that 56% of those aged 18 to 24 have used ChatGPT at least once, contrasting with just 16% of those 55 and older. About 24% of respondents utilized generative AI for information gathering, while 28% created diverse media forms, including text, audio, code, images, and video.

The research team hypothesized that future usage will stem from a blend of personal exploration of standalone tools like ChatGPT and professional adoption through workplace applications. It also noted the anticipated integration of generative AI features into existing platforms, such as social media and search engines, exemplified by recent enhancements in Google Search. Moreover, many individuals remain uncertain about whether generative AI will ultimately benefit their lives or society, a perspective that is understandable given the limited awareness of these tools and the low frequency of personal usage. However, younger individuals and those with higher educational attainment—who are more familiar with generative AI—tend to hold a more optimistic view about the technology’s potential.