AI chatbots increasingly used for news, but trust issues persist

According to the Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2026, 10 percent of people worldwide now use AI chatbots for news every week, up from 7 percent a year ago. Only 4 percent regularly click through to the original source. The increasing reliance on AI chatbots for news consumption raises questions about the role of these tools in shaping public discourse.

As people turn to chatbots for information, there is a risk that they may not be exposed to a diverse range of perspectives. The Reuters Institute's findings suggest that while AI chatbots are becoming more popular as a news source, users do not necessarily trust them. This lack of trust could have implications for the way that news organizations engage with their audiences and present information.

The Digital News Report 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the changing media landscape, highlighting trends and shifts in the way that people consume news. Why this matters: The growing use of AI chatbots for news consumption has significant implications for the media industry, developers, and consumers. As chatbots become a more prominent source of information, news organizations will need to adapt their strategies to ensure that their content is being presented in a trustworthy and transparent manner.

This may involve developing new formats and platforms that are optimized for chatbot-based consumption, as well as implementing safeguards to prevent the spread of misinformation. For developers, this trend highlights the need for more sophisticated AI models that can provide accurate and unbiased information. Ultimately, the persistence of low trust in AI chatbots for news consumption raises important questions about the future of journalism and the role of technology in shaping public discourse.