What American teenagers actually think about artificial intelligence
Teenagers have varied and nuanced views on artificial intelligence, from skepticism about its environmental impact to concerns about creativity, according to MIT Technology Review interviews.
According to MIT Technology Review, researchers spoke to teenagers aged 10 to 18 about their attitudes toward artificial intelligence and found responses far more varied than expected. Some said they use AI for schoolwork despite knowing they shouldn't, while others avoid it over environmental concerns or fear it will harm creativity. A 17-year-old named Winter said, "AI isn't the solution to our problems. I'm afraid it's going to be the end of creativity and critical thinking."
Most of the teenagers admitted to using AI at least occasionally, though younger children showed little interest. A Pew Research Center survey from February 2026 found that 57% of U.S. teens had used chatbots to search for information, 54% used them for schoolwork, and 47% for entertainment, while only 12% used them for emotional support. The teenagers interviewed seemed less concerned about job losses than societal impacts, and many wanted to retain control over their own thinking rather than delegating it to tools.