# Most Americans want to learn how to use AI

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/learning-ai-through-videos-and-classes/
Published: 2026-10-07

> Featured topic in AI & Tech.

54.4% of Americans are interested in learning to use AI. Short videos and free classes have similar appeal: 40.5% would watch a video and 39.7% would take a free class.

## Overview: Interest in learning AI

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Supporting evidence

### 54.4% are very or somewhat interested in learning more about using AI tools.

Question: How interested are you, if at all, in learning more about how to use AI tools?

Topline:

- Somewhat interested: 33.0%
- Not too interested: 23.2%
- Not at all interested: 22.4%
- Very interested: 21.4%

### 40.5% would watch a short online video to learn to use AI tools; respondents could select multiple ways to learn.

Question: Which of these would you be willing to do to learn more about using AI tools?

Topline:

- Watch a short video online, like on YouTube or TikTok: 40.5%
- Take a free online or in-person class: 39.7%
- Read articles or a book about it: 32.5%
- Learn from a friend or family member: 31.8%
- Ask an AI tool to teach you directly: 30.9%

### 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.

Question: And which one are you most likely to actually do?

Topline:

- Watch a short video online, like on YouTube or TikTok: 30.1%
- Take a free online or in-person class: 20.3%
- Ask an AI tool to teach you directly: 17.2%
- Learn from a friend or family member: 11.2%
- Take training offered by my employer: 10.8%

## 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: 2026-09-16 → 2026-09-21
- 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

- [How interested are you, if at all, in learning more about how to use AI tools?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-3): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [And which one are you most likely to actually do?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-5): 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?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-4): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report

## Citation

September Verasight National Survey: Current Events and Prediction Markets, fielded September 16-21, 2026, N=1,500 US adults age 18+, +/- 2.6%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-3](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-3)