Nearly 30% of Workers Don’t Know What ChatGPT is

AI Chatbot Usage: Who’s Adopting and Why?

A recent Pew Research Center study found that 55% of workers rarely or never use AI chatbots, while 29% (!!!) haven’t even heard of them. However, among those who do use them, younger professionals and those with postgraduate degrees are more likely to integrate AI into their daily tasks.

The next generation of digital professionals is growing up with AI-assisted workflows, meaning agencies and teams that resist the shift could quickly fall behind.

How Marketers and SEOs Are Using AI Chatbots

The most common workplace uses for AI chatbots include:

✔ Research & data gathering (57%) – AI can summarize trends, competitor insights, and audience behavior.
✔ Editing & refining content (52%) – Chatbot and AI-driven tools help polish blog posts, ad copy, and SEO content.
✔ Drafting reports & documents (47%) – The need for speed: AI speeds up performance reports, keyword research summaries, and campaign analysis.

For digital marketing professionals, AI chatbots are also making their mark in:

🔹 SEO research: Identifying keyword clusters, search intent, and content gaps.
🔹 Content creation: Generating outlines and first drafts for blog posts, meta descriptions, and PPC ad copy.
🔹 Idea generation: Brainstorming campaign angles, social media posts, and outreach strategies.
🔹 Data analysis: Automating basic reporting and trend identification in analytics tools.

AI’s Impact on Speed vs. Quality

Although LLMs can improve efficiency, there’s a big divide between speed and quality. A significant 40% of users say AI has been “extremely helpful” in getting work done faster, but only 29% say it has improved quality (ouch).

For SEOs and marketers, this presents a challenge: AI speeds up content production, but it still requires a human touch to ensure accuracy, tone, and relevance. AI-generated copy may pass the first draft test, but without optimization, it won’t necessarily perform well in search results or resonate with audiences.

Why Some Marketing Teams Are Hesitant to Use AI

Despite AI’s advantages, many professionals are reluctant to use chatbots. The study found that:

🛑 36% say AI doesn’t fit into their job – Some roles prioritize creativity and nuance that AI can’t replicate.
🛑 22% simply aren’t interested – Many professionals don’t see the immediate value.
🛑 10% don’t know how to use AI – A lack of training prevents adoption.
🛑 9% are restricted by company policies – Compliance concerns are keeping AI use in check.

For SEO agencies and marketing teams, this hesitation represents an opportunity. Those who integrate AI chatbots effectively—without losing strategic oversight—will gain a competitive edge. The key is balancing AI automation with human expertise.

Should Employers Encourage AI Chatbot Use?

So far, many businesses remain neutral on AI adoption. Half of workers report that their employers neither encourage nor discourage AI use. However, in industries like tech (36%) and finance (24%), AI chatbot adoption is actively promoted.

For marketing agencies, the decision is clear: AI isn’t going away, and teams that leverage it effectively will outperform those that don’t. Whether it’s content creation, SEO research, or ad optimization, AI chatbots can handle repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategic work.

Final Takeaways:

✅ AI chatbots boost speed but require human oversight for quality.
✅ Younger professionals and highly educated workers are leading AI adoption.
✅ AI isn’t a threat—it’s a tool. Learning how to use it effectively will separate forward-thinking marketers from those left behind.