A survey of over 12,000 people across six countries revealed that while generative AI tools like ChatGPT are widely recognized, regular usage remains low. Conducted by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University, the study included participants from France, Denmark, and the UK, assessing their attitudes toward generative AI (GenAI) technologies.
Since its launch in November 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has sparked significant interest, but the survey shows limited daily use. Despite broad awareness—61% in Denmark and 58% in the UK know of ChatGPT—tools like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot are less known, with only 15-25% recognition. Specialized tools like Midjourney and Perplexity have even lower visibility.
Usage patterns indicate that ChatGPT is the most commonly used AI tool, particularly in the US, where 7% use it daily and 11% weekly. In contrast, France and the UK see only 2% daily usage, with negligible use of other AI tools like Google Gemini. Most users have interacted with these tools just once or twice.
Younger individuals (18-24) show higher adoption rates, with 56% using GenAI at least once, compared to just 16% of those aged 55 and over. The primary uses for AI include gathering information (24%) and media creation (28%). Common tasks involve answering questions, generating ideas, writing emails, and creating images, with many users experimenting rather than consistently applying these tools.
The survey also highlights that most respondents expect generative AI to significantly impact various sectors within five years, including search engines, social media, news media, and science. While some anticipate benefits, others foresee potential negative societal impacts.
