Artificial intelligence use doubles in rural Nebraska, poll shows

The latest results from the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll show that most rural Nebraskans have used artificial intelligence tools — a sharp increase since the poll first asked about AI in 2024. However, many are still wary of AI’s reliability.

Fifty-five percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed have used any AI tool — up from 27% in 2024. Certain groups are more likely than others to have used the tools. At least three-quarters of respondents ages 19 to 39 have used them, compared to just 23% of those 65 and older. Other groups most likely to have used the tools include those with higher education levels or household incomes and women.

“The rapid growth in AI use shows that AI is becoming part of everyday life for many rural Nebraskans,” said Heather Akin, associate professor of agricultural and environmental sciences communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “As AI continues to evolve, it’s important that rural residents have opportunities to explore its uses, recognize its limitations and make informed decisions about when to use it. By supporting access and literacy about AI, Nebraskans can be more prepared to navigate this evolving technology.”

Generative AI uses machine learning and deep learning models to create new content — such as text, images, audio, videos or code — in response to what users ask. Examples include ChatGPT, Gemini and DALL-E.