A comprehensive global survey conducted in 2025 by the Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford has revealed a marked increase in both public awareness and the practical application of generative artificial intelligence. The study indicates that weekly usage of tools like ChatGPT has nearly doubled, climbing from 18% in 2024 to 34% in 2025.
The research, which spanned Argentina, Denmark, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, delved into how generative AI is being integrated into news consumption, search activities, and broader aspects of society. ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used and recognized tool, with 22% of those surveyed reporting its weekly use. Across all participating nations, awareness of generative AI tools has grown, with 90% of participants now familiar with at least one such tool, a significant rise from 78% the previous year. Younger demographics, particularly those aged 18 to 24, exhibited the highest rates of adoption.
Interestingly, information-seeking has become the primary driver of generative AI use, surpassing even content creation. Weekly usage for information gathering doubled to 24%, while its application in media creation saw an increase to 21%. "News-related applications of AI remained limited, with only 6% of respondents using AI systems to get news each week," the report stated. The highest rates of AI-driven news consumption were observed in Argentina and the United States.
Public opinion on the reliability of AI-generated search results was mixed. While 54% of respondents reported encountering AI-generated answers in searches, only half of them expressed trust in that information. Click-through rates on source links were notably low, and many users indicated they cross-reference AI-provided answers with traditional sources, particularly in sensitive areas such as health and politics. The study also highlighted a widespread perception that AI is already prevalent across various sectors. More than half believed AI is frequently used in news media, with even higher figures for search and social media companies. However, optimism regarding AI’s impact varied depending on the sector. Respondents expressed greater positivity toward AI in healthcare, science, and search engines, while exhibiting more skepticism regarding its use in news media, government, and politics.
In the realm of journalism, a notable disparity exists between comfort levels with human-produced versus AI-produced content. "Only 12% of respondents said they were comfortable with fully AI-generated news, compared to 62% who preferred human-made content," according to the survey. Acceptance increased to 43% when a human led the process with AI assistance. People were more receptive to back-end AI applications, like grammar correction and translation, than front-facing uses such as AI-generated images or artificial presenters.
Skepticism also persists regarding the oversight of AI-generated content. Only one-third of respondents believed journalists consistently verify AI-generated content before publication, and 43% anticipated significant variations in responsible AI usage among different news outlets. Although a majority of individuals consume news daily, only 19% reported regularly observing AI labeling on news stories. AI summaries and chatbots were the most frequently recognized features, but 60% of respondents indicated they did not typically encounter AI features within news platforms.
The report further underscored national differences in perception. Respondents in Japan and Argentina generally held more optimistic views regarding AI’s societal impact, while those in the United Kingdom and the United States expressed greater skepticism. The findings contribute to the Reuters Institute’s ongoing research into public attitudes toward AI in journalism and society, supported by the National Center for AI in Society and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.