How U.S. adults are using AI in 2025: A generational divide in tech adoption

Written on July 29, 2025, 14:30 ET

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday digital tools, a new survey shows that most Americans are now using AI — but primarily for basic tasks like searching for information. More complex uses, such as work-related tasks, email drafting, or companionship, are far less common, especially among older adults.

AI Use Common in Searches, Less So in Work or Creativity

A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds that 60% of U.S. adults say they use artificial intelligence to find information at least occasionally. This number jumps to 74% among adults under 30, reflecting the growing influence of AI-driven platforms on younger generations.

Despite years of tech industry promotion promising AI as a tool for workplace efficiency and personal productivity, many Americans have yet to adopt AI for deeper or more advanced uses. Only about 40% of adults say they’ve used AI for professional tasks or idea generation.

These results highlight a notable generational divide: while many younger users are exploring AI for creative tasks and brainstorming, older adults remain more cautious — or uninterested.

Younger Adults Are Driving Creative AI Use

One of the most significant gaps in AI usage appears in creative and ideation tasks. According to the poll, 6 in 10 adults under age 30 report using AI to brainstorm ideas, while only 2 in 10 adults aged 60 and older say the same.

Among these younger adopters is Courtney Thayer, 34, from Des Moines, Iowa. She’s using ChatGPT for meal planning and calculating nutritional values — even adding specific flavor requests like “Asian flair” to her AI meal prep requests.

“It wasn’t the most flavorful thing I’ve ever had in my life,” she said. “But it’s a nice starting point. More importantly, I use it to portion meals correctly and avoid food waste.”

Thayer, who works as an audiologist, also uses AI to speed up her professional communication. The hearing aids she recommends already contain AI, so integrating the technology into her workflow felt natural.

However, she draws the line at using AI for medical information, citing instances where AI “hallucinated” false facts about her area of expertise. “I’ve studied this for years,” she said. “I’m not going to trust a chatbot over real science.”

AI Use for Work, Email, and Shopping Remains Limited

The survey reveals that only around 40% of adults use AI for work-related tasks. About one-third report using it for writing or editing emails, image creation, or entertainment. Just one in four say they use it for shopping purposes.

Younger adults are far more likely than older generations to turn to AI for these tasks, continuing the pattern of generational AI adoption.

Sanaa Wilson, a 28-year-old freelance data scientist in California, uses AI heavily for coding. She estimates that it has saved her hundreds of dollars in training costs. While she occasionally uses it for idea generation and email drafting, she’s become more selective.

“I used it a lot when it first came out,” Wilson said. “Now I think twice — partly because of the environmental impact and partly because I want to preserve my writing skills.”

For basic queries like checking calendar dates, she trusts AI-generated answers. But when it comes to news or policy topics — especially those related to California or education — she prefers to scroll past the summaries and do her own research.

Search Still Dominates How People Use AI

Of the eight AI use cases listed in the AP-NORC poll, searching for information is the most widely adopted across all age groups. Yet even this may be underreported, given that AI is increasingly integrated into tools like Google Search — sometimes without users realizing it.

Since 2023, Google has included AI-generated summaries in search results. These appear at the top of the page and attempt to answer users’ questions directly, before they click any links.

However, some users are still hesitant to rely on AI summaries, particularly for nuanced or local information.

“I skip the AI box unless it’s a really basic question,” said Wilson. “If it’s something important, I don’t want a robot’s summary — I want facts I can verify.”

AI Companionship Rare, but More Common Among Young Adults

The least common AI use in the poll was for companionship. Just 17% of U.S. adults say they’ve used AI for this purpose, though among those under 30, usage climbs to 25%.

Wilson said she’s not interested in AI companionship but isn’t surprised others are, especially in the wake of COVID-19’s impact on social development. “I get why people use it,” she said. “The pandemic was isolating.”

Thayer also avoids AI companionship but takes a humorous — and cautious — approach to her interactions with bots.

“I’m polite to it,” she said. “I’ve watched the movies. I’ll say please and thank you, just in case they’re keeping track.”

AI Use Reflects Evolving Digital Habits

The poll results underscore a slow but steady shift in digital behavior, particularly among younger adults who have grown up with smart tech. While AI is not yet a mainstream tool for every task, its role in daily life is expanding — from coding help and creative planning to casual information searches.

Older generations remain more skeptical, especially when it comes to trusting AI with complex or sensitive information. But as AI becomes increasingly integrated into search engines, productivity tools, and personal tech, its adoption gap may shrink.