Nebraska Sees Surge in AI Tool Usage, Reflecting National Trends
The latest findings from the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll have revealed a significant increase in the use of generative AI tools among Nebraskans. In just two years, usage has more than doubled, rising from 27% in 2024 to 55% in 2026.
Aligning with broader national trends, this surge was highlighted by Heather Akin, an associate professor of strategic communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “We’re seeing just a rapid uptake of those tools over the last year or so, I think in general across the country,” she remarked.
Parallel to these findings, a 2025 YouGov survey indicated that 56% of American adults have adopted AI tools.
Akin noted that the poll results might underestimate AI usage in rural Nebraska, given the average respondent age of approximately 51. Among those aged 50-64, 51% have used AI tools, compared to about 75% of individuals aged 19-39.
Additionally, Akin pointed out that some users might be unaware they are engaging with AI, citing the Google Gemini “AI Overview” feature as an example. “I’m not sure whether people always know that they’re using generative AI in their searches, but in fact it’s running in the background,” she commented.
Interestingly, the poll revealed that women are more inclined than men to use AI chatbots. Although the extent of the gender gap wasn’t quantified in the report, Akin referenced a June 2026 Pew Research Center study which noted a narrowing gender gap in chatbot usage nationwide between 2024 and 2026. Women’s usage rose from 28% in 2024 to 47% in 2026, while men’s usage grew from 39% to 50% over the same period.
Akin suggested this narrowing gap might explain the higher chatbot usage among women in rural Nebraska. She also highlighted AI tools’ potential benefits, such as providing information where access to professional advice is limited, though she warned against the dangers of chatbots disseminating inaccurate information.
A little over one-third of respondents expressed interest in learning to assess the accuracy of AI-generated responses. “Of course, we want to be really cautious and conscious of the accuracy of the information that people get,” Akin emphasized.
Privacy emerged as a primary concern for rural Nebraskans, with 45% of respondents keen on learning to safeguard their privacy while using AI. Akin acknowledged these concerns, saying, “We’re hearing a lot of very valid concerns about it. I think we’re going to hit a point where, as a society, we kind of have to negotiate how much we’re willing to accept this technology being used.”
The poll was conducted through mailed questionnaires by Nebraska Extension and Rural Prosperity Nebraska to nearly 6,900 households in April and May 2026. It gathered 881 responses from 86 of Nebraska’s 93 counties, excluding Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, and Washington counties.
