Artificial intelligence has become routine for the next generation of Americans. A Pew Research Center summary released March 12 — drawing on five years of surveys — finds that 64% of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 say they use AI chatbots, with roughly 30% doing so daily.

The underlying study, conducted in fall 2025 with 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents, found information seeking and schoolwork assistance top the list of teen use cases. Entertainment and socializing — using tools like Character.ai — also rank high, with many teens turning to chatbots "just for fun."

Adults Tell a Different Story

The generational gap is stark. Among U.S. adults, 50% say AI makes them feel more concerned than excited, compared to just 10% who lean more excited. Another 38% feel equally split. That cautious sentiment has grown more pronounced since Pew first tracked it in 2021.

The Homework Factor

About half of teens who use chatbots report using them for schoolwork. ChatGPT is the most-used tool, followed by Microsoft Copilot and Character.ai. Parents consistently underestimate their kids' chatbot use — roughly half of parents believe their teen uses AI chatbots, while teens themselves report 64% adoption.

The divergence between teen fluency and adult wariness may define AI's social dynamics over the next decade as the generation that grew up with chatbots enters the workforce.