The use of AI chatbots for news has increased globally, reaching 10 percent of weekly users in 2026, up from 7 percent the previous year, according to the Reuters Institute's Digital News Report. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are playing a growing, though still small, role in how people access news. The report highlights that while chatbots are becoming more popular, trust in AI-generated news remains low, with only 20 percent of the general population expressing confidence in it. Younger users and heavy news consumers are driving this growth, with 17 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds using chatbots weekly for news. The study also notes that users with extreme political views are more likely to use AI chatbots for news, with 16 percent on the far left and 15 percent on the far right. This trend suggests that chatbots are being adopted more by those with strong news interests and preexisting political leanings. The Reuters Institute's findings show that while chatbots are gaining traction, the trust gap between users and non-users remains significant, with 44 percent of chatbot users expressing trust in AI-generated news compared to 17 percent of non-users. The report also emphasizes the importance of original reporting and journalistic credibility, urging publishers to focus on areas where AI platforms fall short. The study underscores the need for a balanced approach to AI integration in news consumption, recognizing both the potential and the risks associated with chatbot use.
The report highlights that users of AI chatbots are more likely to use them for tasks like checking the reliability of news sources or simplifying complex topics. In markets with low press freedom scores, such as Hong Kong and Turkey, and in regions with low trust in news, like Hungary and Romania, the use of chatbots to verify source reliability is particularly common. Globally, 42 percent of users say they want more depth or explanation from AI tools, while 39 percent find AI faster than other methods of obtaining news. The study also reveals that only 4 percent of users always or often click through to original sources from AI chatbots, compared to 19 percent for search engines and 17 percent for social media. This discrepancy reflects both the smaller user base of chatbots for news and the way the systems are designed, with users receiving answers rather than links. When users do click through, they are more likely to do so to verify facts or check the source, rather than seek more detail.
The Reuters Institute's findings suggest that while chatbots are becoming more integrated into news consumption, the trust gap remains a critical issue. The study attributes this to the deliberate nature of chatbot use compared to the passive consumption of news on social media. The report also warns of risks such as confirmation bias and the fragmentation of public discourse, as personalized content can reinforce existing beliefs and erode the shared information base needed for public debate. However, the study also acknowledges the potential benefits of chatbot personalization, such as making news more accessible by simplifying complex topics, translating content into preferred languages, and adapting to individual information needs. Used effectively, AI chatbots could expose users to a broader range of perspectives by aggregating reports from multiple media sources. The study concludes that while AI chatbots are gaining traction, publishers must focus on areas where they cannot compete, such as original reporting and journalistic credibility.
Source: thedecoder
