Most Americans want to learn how to use AI
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted September 16 to 21, 2026, 54.4% are interested in learning more about using AI tools: 21.4% are very interested and 33.0% somewhat interested.
Short online videos and free classes have similar appeal. Videos draw interest from 40.5%, and free online or in-person classes from 39.7%; respondents could name more than one method.
More than half want to learn
Interest ranges from 21.4% who are very interested to 33.0% who are somewhat interested. Another 23.2% are not too interested and 22.4% are not at all interested.
This is interest in learning how to use AI tools. It does not measure enrollment in a course or experience using a particular product.
Topline
54.4% are very or somewhat interested in learning more about using AI tools.
n = 1,500 · Sep 16–21, 2026 · MoE ±2.6%
Videos and free classes appeal to about four-in-ten
Short videos attract 40.5% and free classes 39.7%. Reading attracts 32.5%, learning from friends or family 31.8%, asking AI to teach directly 30.9%, and employer training 26.5%.
Respondents could select multiple methods. Another 29.4% select none of the methods and say they are not interested.
Topline
40.5% would watch a short online video to learn to use AI tools; respondents could select multiple ways to learn.
n = 1,500 · Sep 16–21, 2026 · MoE ±2.6%
Videos lead when several methods are possible
Among 799 adults who named multiple methods and did not select no interest, 30.1% say a short video is the method they are most likely to use. Free classes follow at 20.3% and asking AI to teach directly at 17.2%.
This follow-up covers that smaller group. Its percentages should not be read as the preferences of all U.S. adults.
Topline
30.1% would be most likely to watch a short online video among 799 adults who named multiple learning methods and did not select no interest.
n = 799 · Sep 16–21, 2026 · MoE ±3.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 16–21, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,500 |
| Margin of error | ±2.6% |
| Module | Current Events Survey #2026-243 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
How interested are you, if at all, in learning more about how to use AI tools?
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
And which one are you most likely to actually do?
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
Which of these would you be willing to do to learn more about using AI tools?
Cite this topic
September Verasight National Survey: Current Events and Prediction Markets, fielded September 16-21, 2026, N=1,500 US adults age 18+, +/- 2.6%.