Introduction to AI Chatbots in News Consumption
While social media and digital platforms dominate public discourse in Mexico, a new technology is gradually gaining ground in the news sector: AI chatbots. According to the Digital News Report 2025 by the Reuters Institute, 7% of Mexicans surveyed use AI chatbots weekly to stay informed, placing the country on par with the global average and above markets like the United Kingdom, Germany, or Japan.
Global Adoption and Comparison
The report, based on surveys of nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 markets, indicates that Mexican users are among those most rapidly adopting new information channels and embracing tools for a more personalized experience. The integration of AI chatbots into search engines and social media platforms is beginning to reshape how audiences, especially the younger demographic, access news.
AI Chatbots in Developing Countries
The report highlights that AI-powered conversational assistants (chatbots) like ChatGPT from OpenAI or Gemini from Google are being adopted for news consumption, primarily in developing countries, especially in Asia. In developed nations such as the United States, France, Germany, Japan, and Spain, the percentage of individuals using AI chatbots for news does not exceed the global average of 7%. However, in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, this figure reaches 9% of respondents.
In Latin America, only Brazil surpasses the global average with 9% of its population using AI chatbots for news consumption. Argentina stands at 5%, Chile at 4%, and Mexico at 7%. This suggests that while AI chatbots are gaining traction, traditional media still holds significant trust among the population.
Uses of AI Chatbots in News Contexts
One popular use of chatbots in news contexts is generating summaries. Globally, 27% of respondents expressed interest in such functions, followed by automated news translation (24%) and personalized story recommendations (21%).
Despite their growth, AI in journalism faces skepticism. Internationally, users believe that while AI can make news production cheaper (+29 points) and more up-to-date (+16), it can also make news less reliable (-18), less transparent (-8), and less accurate (-8). This indicates a perception that efficiency comes at the cost of quality.
Trust and Verification in Mexico
In Mexico, where trust in traditional media already faces challenges—with only 36% of the population trusting news sources—this perception might limit the growth of chatbots as primary information sources.
However, the report also reveals that users still rely on established news brands and government sources to verify information authenticity, suggesting that AI chatbots could be more effective if they serve as bridges to high-quality content rather than replacements for traditional media.
Digitalization Trend in Mexico
With 81% of the Mexican population having internet access, over 100 million people in the country can access online content. The adoption of AI chatbots is not free; according to the Digital News Report 2025, 80% of respondents use digital media as a news source. Furthermore, 63% consume news through social media, while only 39% watch it on television and 17% in printed media.
Generational shifts are crucial. Among those under 35, TikTok is a common news source. In Mexico, 24% of the population accesses news through TikTok, a six-percentage-point increase from the previous year. YouTube and Facebook remain dominant, used by 35% and 52% of respondents, respectively, as information sources.
The use of AI chatbots for news consumption in Mexico reflects a significant, albeit quiet, transformation in the population’s information-seeking habits, particularly among younger demographics.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the percentage of Mexicans using AI chatbots for weekly news? 7%
- How does Mexico compare to other countries regarding AI chatbot usage for news? Mexico is on par with the global average and above countries like the UK, Germany, and Japan.
- What are some popular uses of AI chatbots in news contexts? Generating summaries, automated translation, and personalized story recommendations.
- What are the perceptions of AI in journalism? While it’s seen as more cost-effective and up-to-date, there are concerns about reliability, transparency, and accuracy.
- How do Mexicans verify news authenticity? They rely on established news brands and government sources, suggesting that AI chatbots could complement rather than replace traditional media.
