Key stat: Gen X chatbot users (69%) outpaced both Gen Z (65%) and millennials (65%) in ramping AI chatbot use over the past 12-18 months, second only to Gen Alpha's 80%, according to a February 2026 Gracenote study.

Beyond the chart:

• The youngest cohort's adoption isn't an outlier, it's a leading indicator. Some 64% of US teens ages 13-17 actively use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
• Meanwhile, concrete cross-generational use cases are taking shape. Using AI to find product links reached 31.4% adoption among US AI users, the only high-use case both growing and penetrating every age group, per PYMNTS' The AI On-Ramp report.

Use this chart: Drop this in your AI rollout strategy when teams default to Gen Z creative for chatbot features. Gen X is matching or beating younger cohorts on adoption, so your prompts, UX, and ads need to land with 45-to-60-year-olds too. Show this when defending broader age targeting.

Related EMARKETER reports:

• Infopack: Gen X (EMARKETER subscription required)
• How CMOs Are Redefining Growth Through the Customer Experience (EMARKETER subscription required)

Methodology: Data is from the April 2026 Gracenote report titled "TV Search and Discovery in the AI Era." More than 4,000 US respondents ages 13-79 were surveyed during January 23-February 4, 2026. Respondents use both the internet and AI chatbots.

We prepared this article with the assistance of generative AI tools and stand behind its accuracy, quality, and originality.