Approximately 60% of Gen Alpha Use AI Daily, Engaging in Conversations Like Friends Despite Concerns About Declining Thinking Skills

Tokyu Agency Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Toshiyuki Kosaka) is pleased to announce that "αFind (Alpha Find)," a Gen Alpha-focused marketing support firm, has conducted an "AI Usage Awareness Survey" targeting elementary school students in upper grades (primarily 10-12 years old) to understand the AI usage of "Gen Alpha (ages 1-15)," who are drawing attention as the generation following Gen Z.

The survey revealed that AI usage among "Gen Alpha" has already reached nearly 60% (60.5%), with them spending as much time on AI as they do on major social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Survey Overview

Survey Title: "AI Usage Status of Gen Alpha"

Survey Method: Internet survey, with some online interviews

Target Audience: Males and females aged 10-12 (Gen Alpha), Males and females aged 16-29 (Gen Z)

Sample Size: 4,237 samples

Survey Period: March 20, 2026 - March 22, 2026

Key Survey Findings

AI usage rate among Gen Alpha is approximately 60% (60.5%). In terms of usage time, it is at a similar level to social media.

For Gen Alpha, AI is a "friend they can talk to without reservation" (42.9%).

In seeking advice on romantic concerns, "AI" and "friends" are tied for first place among Gen Alpha (21.6%).

Regarding unsatisfactory answers, 72.9% of Gen Alpha responded with "making them change instructions and try again multiple times," significantly exceeding Gen Z's 62.2%.

Gen Alpha expresses strong anxiety about "losing thinking skills due to over-reliance on AI" (43.2%). This score is approximately double that of Gen Z (22.6%), highlighting their struggle between enjoying convenience and protecting their independence.

Detailed Survey Results

[1] AI Becomes Daily Infrastructure, Surpassing Major Social Media in Usage Time

Regarding the presence and usage time of various media, AI usage rate among Gen Alpha as a whole reached 60.5%, making it a primary tool within this generation. Furthermore, the average daily AI usage time was "31 minutes," surpassing "Instagram (28 minutes)" and "X (24 minutes)." AI, which is easily accessible, is emerging as a primary contact medium in daily life, replacing major social media platforms that have age restrictions and other hurdles.

<Do you use AI?>

<Daily Contact Time for Each Media>

[2] AI is a "Friend They Can Talk to Without Reservation," Seeking Emotional Connection

When asked about the nature of AI, 42.9% of Gen Alpha responded "a friend they can talk to without reservation," significantly exceeding "a convenient tool" (21.6%). Moreover, in response to the question "Who do you consult when you have romantic worries?", 21.6% of 10-12 year olds answered "AI (ChatGPT, etc.)." This is the same percentage as "friends" (21.6%) and double that of "parents" (10.8%). This suggests the beginning of new interpersonal and human-AI relationships, where sensitive romantic concerns that are difficult to discuss with friends can be easily shared with AI due to its lower psychological barrier.

<What kind of existence is AI for Gen Alpha?>

<Who do you consult when you have romantic worries?>

[3] AI is a "Partner for Finding Answers Through Conversation." Gen Alpha seeks the process of dialogue with AI, not just time and effort reduction.

When receiving unsatisfactory answers from AI, 72.9% of Gen Alpha responded "making them change instructions (prompts) and try again multiple times" (significantly exceeding the overall Gen Z rate of 62.2%). Additionally, 56.7% perceive AI as "close to a friend or partner with whom they can think and chat together." Their attitude is not that of simply executing commands like a "subordinate or tool," but rather a prominent inclination to refine answers through mutual dialogue.

[4] Gen Alpha Has Strong Anxiety About "Declining Thinking Skills," Showing Conflict Between Reliance and Apprehension

Regarding "concerns about using AI," 43.2% of Gen Alpha responded "very anxious" about "losing the ability to think for themselves due to over-reliance on AI." This figure is exceptionally high compared to Gen Z's 22.6%. While they rely on AI as a "partner," they are grappling with the deep conflict of "will I lose my ability to think for myself?" This highlights their real psychological state as they interact with AI daily. One contributing factor is believed to be the restrictions and emphasis on thinking skills they hear from parents and media news regarding AI usage. This also shows the straightforward nature of Gen Alpha, who do not forget the advice of those around them even when relying on AI.

[Commentary] "AI is Becoming a Mental Partner for Gen Alpha"

The results of this survey reveal that Gen Alpha is building an extremely advanced relationship with AI, not merely as a convenient technology, but as a mental partner.

Most symbolic is that AI has become the primary daily contact medium, replacing major social media with age restrictions, and serving as a consultation partner "equal to or greater than parents, and on par with friends." This signifies a paradigm shift where, unlike previous internet usage as a "tool to connect with others," AI itself has begun to function as an "alternative friend" for dialogue.

Furthermore, while adults and business people tend to use AI primarily to save time and effort, over 70% of Gen Alpha responded that they "change prompts until satisfied" and view AI more as a "friend or partner than a tool." This suggests that they enjoy the process of refining answers through two-way dialogue, akin to communication with friends, rather than passive consumption.

However, they are not blindly dependent on AI. They harbor a strong conflict and sense of crisis about "losing their ability to think for themselves," far more than adults might imagine.

This survey on AI usage among Gen Alpha symbolizes the real psychology of "the generation facing ethical distances with AI earliest in human history."

Commentary by: Akiko Yamada, αFind Member

Tokyu Agency Inc., Solutions Promotion Division, Strategy Design Bureau

As a Strategic Planner, she has developed marketing strategies for numerous companies, including major restaurant chains and cosmetic companies. As a founding member of αFind, she is engaged in research on Gen Alpha from the perspectives of corporate activities and communication.

* "α世代デザインファーム αFind" (Registered Trademark No. 7044629) is a registered trademark of Tokyu Agency Inc.