Reuters Institute 9-country survey: weekly AI use jumps from 34% to 51% in a year
_FelixSimon_ · x · 2026-10-29
Oxford's Reuters Institute has released the Generative AI and News Report 2026 by Felix Simon, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen and Richard Fletcher, based on a survey of 18,921 people across nine countries (UK, US, France, Argentina, Denmark, Japan, Australia, Norway, Finland).
Key findings:
- Weekly use of standalone generative AI tools rose from 34% to 51% in one year; daily use climbed from 7% to 28% over two years.
- Getting information is now the main use: 38% used AI for information in the past week (up from 11% in 2024); creating media is second at 31%.
- 64% of users say AI is faster or easier than search, but only 21% say it gives more reliable information.
- The public rates AI companies as competent but far less well-intentioned or honest; politicians face the most pessimism, scientists and healthcare professionals the most optimism.
- Comfort with fully AI-made news has barely moved since 2024 (14% to 12%).
The report's framing: generative AI is shifting from standalone tools to information infrastructure.
Related event: Weekly AI Use Jumps to 51%, Reuters Institute Report Finds(2 posts)→
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