Unexpected AI Trends: ChatGPT Usage Higher in Less Educated Regions

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has firmly entered our lives, changing the conventional approaches to communication, education, and professional activities. A recent study conducted in the USA revealed an unexpected pattern: ChatGPT and similar AI services are more often used in regions with a lower level of education. This fact contradicts traditional views on how new technologies spread and prompts one to consider the role of AI in modern society.

AI Advances Through Regions: Surprising Data

Researchers from Stanford University, the University of Washington, and Emory University analyzed more than 305 million texts, including consumer complaints, corporate press releases, job postings, and UN press releases. The analysis covered the period from 2022 to 2024 and showed that AI actively helps in creating texts — up to 24% of professional communications in some sectors show signs of using generative models. The key finding of the study: in U.S. regions with a lower level of education, the share of texts created with the help of AI reaches 19.9%, while in regions with a high level of education this figure is 17.4%. For example, in the state of Arkansas, up to 29.2% of consumer complaints demonstrate signs of AI usage, while in states such as West Virginia, this figure barely reaches 2.6%. In cities, AI is used more often (18.2%) than in rural areas (10.9%), but the educational factor turned out to be more significant than geography. "We expected that new technologies would be adopted more quickly by the educated strata of the population, but the data tells a different story. This finding changes our understanding of AI dissemination," note the authors of the study.

Why Do Less Educated People Choose ChatGPT?

Researchers suggest that AI is becoming an "equalizing tool" for those with fewer educational opportunities. People with a lower level of education use ChatGPT to improve their texts — whether it be consumer complaints, resumes, or business correspondence. This helps them compensate for a lack of writing skills and better advocate for their interests. For instance, in the realm of consumer complaints, regions with fewer college graduates show higher rates of AI adoption. "These tools give people the opportunity to express their thoughts more effectively, which is especially important in situations related to rights protection," the researchers write. At the same time, in the corporate environment, young companies (founded after 2015) use AI three times more often than older firms, and small organizations outperform large corporations in terms of technology adoption. This indicates that AI is becoming an accessible solution for those looking for quick and effective ways of communication.

AI in Education: Challenges for Universities

Alongside this trend, AI is actively penetrating the educational environment. A study from the United Kingdom showed that in 2025, 88% of students use ChatGPT and similar tools for studying — from writing essays to explaining complex topics. At the same time, 18% of students admit that they insert generated text into their work without changes. Such popularity of AI among students forces universities to reconsider their approaches to assessment. "We are facing a rare phenomenon: students' behavior is changing faster than universities can adapt. There is an urgent need to change the format of assignments so that they remain relevant in the era of AI," noted Josh Freeman, the author of the British study.

Opportunities and Risks

The widespread adoption of ChatGPT opens up new horizons, but it also poses complex questions for society. On one hand, AI helps people with fewer educational resources improve their skills and compete in the labor market. On the other hand, excessive reliance on technology may weaken critical thinking and creative abilities. For universities and employers, this means finding a balance: using AI as an assistant, but not allowing it to dominate. Possible solutions include developing assignments that require unique analysis and training in the ethical use of technologies.

Conclusion: AI as a Mirror of Society

Research shows that ChatGPT and generative AI are changing not only communication methods but also social structures. The fact that less educated people use these tools more frequently underscores their potential as a means to reduce inequality. However, the success of this transformation depends on how we adapt to the new reality — whether in university classrooms or in everyday life. Artificial intelligence is already here, and it is becoming an increasingly subtle yet influential participant in our world. The question is whether we will learn to use it for good.