Few Americans Say They Are Asking AI Chatbots for 2026 Election Information (www.pewresearch.org)

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that only 8% of U.S. adults are using AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to find information about the upcoming 2026 elections, despite a significant increase in overall chatbot usage among Americans. Among the small group utilizing these tools for election insights, the majority seek information on candidates' positions (76%), the accuracy of claims surrounding them (71%), and biographical details (65%). Additionally, around 40% of users look for voting-related logistics, such as registration and polling information. This finding is crucial for the AI/ML community as it highlights a significant gap in the adoption of AI chatbots for civic engagement, despite their growing use for various tasks. The demographic insights also reveal that younger adults are more inclined to use chatbots for election information compared to older individuals. As AI tools increasingly shape how information is disseminated and consumed, understanding their role in politics may prompt developers to tailor capabilities and features better suited to facilitate informed voter engagement in the future.