The Reuters Institute has released a new edition of the Generative AI and News report, co-authored by Marina Adami, Dr. Felix Simon, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, and Richard Fletcher. The report, based on a survey conducted in August-September 2026 across nine countries, examines how audiences are using generative AI in news and other sectors.
Key Findings on AI Usage
The report highlights that the use of generative AI continues to rise, with weekly usage increasing from 34% last year to 51% in 2026 in countries with historical data. Argentina leads with the highest usage at 68%, while Japan has the lowest at 46%. OpenAI’s ChatGPT remains the market leader, but competitors like Gemini, Copilot, and Claude are gaining traction.
People are increasingly encountering AI on platforms like search engines, smartphones, and social media. The primary use of AI is for accessing information, with 38% using it for this purpose in 2026, up from 24% in 2025. However, using AI to access news remains niche, growing from 3% in 2024 to 9% in 2026.
Trust and Impact of AI in News
Trust in generative AI outputs varies, with 72% of users trusting AI for news. However, convenience is a major factor driving AI use, with 64% citing faster answers as a reason. The report also notes that AI use is more common among younger, highly educated individuals in professional occupations.
There is a nuanced view of AI optimism, with users generally optimistic about AI’s impact in scientific and healthcare sectors but pessimistic about its use by governments and media. Comfort with AI in newsrooms remains low, with only 12% comfortable with AI-generated news, though there is greater acceptance for AI in backend tasks like editing.
The report concludes that while audiences believe AI will make news cheaper and more up-to-date, concerns about trustworthiness and transparency persist.
About Reuters Institute
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is a globally focused research centre at the University of Oxford, dedicated to exploring the future of journalism worldwide.
