How People Think About AI's Role in News and Society

Why It Matters

Understanding audience attitudes toward AI in news is critical for media firms seeking to leverage efficiency while preserving trust; missteps could accelerate audience disengagement and undermine revenue streams.

Key Takeaways

• Generative AI usage rose to 61% across surveyed countries.
• ChatGPT remains dominant, but weekly use varies by nation.
• Only 6% use AI directly for news, primarily for summaries.
• Trust in AI higher for search results than for standalone tools.
• Audiences favor AI assistance behind the scenes, not fully AI-generated news.

Summary

The video presents the 2025 GenAI News Report, a nationally representative online survey conducted in six countries that examines how audiences use generative AI and how they perceive its role in news and broader society. Researchers Phil Simon, Richard Fletcher and Russ Neielson highlight a rapid rise in AI adoption—61% of respondents have tried a generative tool, with 34% using one in the past week—while ChatGPT remains the most popular platform, though weekly engagement differs markedly across markets. Key findings show AI is now a mainstream information‑seeking aid: users favor answering questions, summarising content, and clarifying complex stories. Direct AI consumption of news remains niche, with only 6% reporting weekly use, primarily for headline updates and summaries. Trust varies by brand and context; AI‑enhanced search results enjoy higher confidence than standalone tools, yet news organisations rank low on perceived responsible AI use, especially compared with scientists and healthcare professionals. The presenters cite specific data points: younger audiences are twice as likely to have used AI, and they rely on it for navigation and explanation of news cycles. Labels indicating AI‑generated content are seen by just one‑in‑five daily news consumers, despite 77% reading news every day. Respondents express discomfort with fully AI‑written stories, preferring human‑authored pieces with AI assistance, and they stress verification for health and political topics. For media companies, the report underscores a strategic dilemma: AI can streamline production and improve accessibility, but audience trust hinges on transparency, responsible deployment, and clear labeling. Newsrooms must balance efficiency gains against the risk of eroding credibility, especially as AI‑driven search becomes the primary public touchpoint with generative technology.

Original Description

Session from our AI and the Future of News 2026 conference, 17 March 2026.

Discussions of AI in journalism frequently overlook what audiences make of the technology – and how they use it and think about it in the context of information and news. Drawing on recent survey research conducted by the Reuters Institute across various countries, this talk provides insights into why and for what people use AI tools, which brands they trust, and how comfortable they are with AI-produced journalism. We discuss public hopes, fears and expectations for AI—from daily life and work to the future of newsrooms—and what it means for journalists, policymakers and citizens.

Speaker: Felix Simon (Postdoctoral research fellow in AI, RISJ)