DULLES, VA – September 10, 2024 – With major smartphone manufacturers putting AI at the forefront of the latest handset releases, new data reveals that a higher proportion of younger Americans (18-24 year olds) are shunning AI on phones over older age groups. This age group, more than any other age segment, is far less likely to support AI even if it makes them more productive, and they are also less convinced that AI on phones is advanced enough to make any difference.
The study of over 3000 American smartphone users, published today by wireless insights and benchmarking specialist GWS, reveals a stark generational divide in attitudes towards AI on phones, with more 18-24 year olds saying they “don’t want” AI on their phones compared to all older age groups (16% vs 10%).
While nearly half (46%) of ‘older millennials’ (35-44 year olds) are in favor of the technology if it helps boost their productivity, just a quarter (25%) of 18-24 year olds feel the same way. And it’s not because they don’t understand what AI offers, as Gen Zs seem to be most confident when it comes to understanding the technology – just 6% felt they didn’t understand AI enough to have a strong opinion on it. But the data reveals that this isn’t enough to convince them that the technology will make an impact, as a fifth (19%) of 18-24 year olds don’t think the technology is sophisticated enough to make a big difference on how they use their phones – the highest of any age group.
As well as a generational divide, the data also reveals a gender divide in attitudes towards AI on phones too, with more men willing to embrace the new technology if it makes things easier to do (46% of men vs 31% of women).
But while privacy is a concern for some, only one in ten Americans feel most strongly about AI being “too intrusive” on phones. This is reflected across all age groups, suggesting that privacy is not at the top of the agenda for consumers when thinking about AI and smartphones at present.
Dr Paul Carter, CEO, GWS Magnify comments: “Recent advances in AI might have yielded some impressive new technology. But while many of the biggest tech firms have launched their own AI tools in recent months, our data shows that more work must be done to truly convince consumers that AI will make their mobile experience better, especially with younger audiences. This perhaps taps into a new trend around the rise of ‘dumb phones’, particularly amongst Gen Zs. But it’s far from the majority, and in a world where we do everything through our phones, there’s no denying that you simply can’t do lots of daily tasks – from shopping to banking – without one. And, as is the case with all the best technology, when done properly it soon becomes something that you wonder how you ever functioned without!”
Methodology and Notes to Editors
All data was collected via surveying GWS’s opt-in consumer panel of just over 3,000 participants (18+) making up a nationally representative sample of people from around the US. Data was collected in August 2024.
About GWS
For most consumers today, their mobile device is their life’s remote control. As an independent wireless insights and benchmarking firm, GWS measures every aspect of how people live, work, and play via their mobile devices – as well as how mobile network performance affects them.
Combining our market-leading network benchmarking technology and methodology with deep behavioral data, we help businesses and organizations to drive innovation and deliver better customer experiences through wireless insights, anywhere in the world. Championing the needs of mobile and broadband users by understanding and testing the things that matter to them, we’ve evolved our technology and services in step with the needs of industry and consumers for 28 years.
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