A growing portion of the population is turning to artificial intelligence to access news, according to a recent report by the UK communications regulator Ofcom. The 2026 News Report indicates that more than 20% of adults have used an AI application or service to obtain news within the past month.
Among AI tools, ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used, with 13% of adults reporting they utilized the platform for news consumption. Despite this uptake, the report also revealed a significant degree of skepticism among the public regarding AI-generated news content. Over half of respondents expressed reduced trust in news stories created by AI compared to those written by human journalists.
Social media and video-sharing sites continue to serve as primary gateways to news for many. Facebook remained the most commonly used platform for news access, cited by 39% of adults, followed by YouTube at 33%. However, only a small minority—2%—rely exclusively on social media for news. Ofcom observed that the majority of content distributed via these channels still originates from established broadcasters.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) maintained its position as the leading news provider, reaching 80% of adults in the preceding month. This sustained audience reach underscores the continuing influence of traditional public service media despite evolving consumption habits.
Ian Macrae, Ofcom’s director of market intelligence, highlighted the rapid changes reshaping news consumption patterns. He emphasized the need for public service broadcasters to adapt their distribution approaches to keep pace with technological developments and audience preferences. “Public service media must continue to evolve their distribution strategies to continue to meet audiences where they are, and ultimately, avoid getting drowned out by the noise,” Macrae stated.
The report underscores a significant shift in how news is sourced, balancing the increasing role of AI alongside enduring reliance on conventional media outlets and social platforms.