Survey reveals deep AI literacy divide in rural Nebraska
A new Nebraska Rural Poll shows that most rural Nebraskans have limited knowledge of artificial intelligence and that familiarity with AI varies strongly by age, education and income.[8][1] The findings place Nebraska’s rural communities squarely inside a broader national pattern in which younger, more educated and higher‑income residents are far more likely to use and understand AI tools than their older and less advantaged neighbors.[1][3][4]
Most rural Nebraskans say they know little about AI
The 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll, conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, asked thousands of rural residents how much they know about artificial intelligence and whether they use AI tools.[8][1] Just over half of respondents — 53% — said they are not at all or only slightly informed about AI.[8][1] About 34% described themselves as moderately informed, while only 13% reported being very or extremely informed.[8][1]
Usage figures were similarly modest. Roughly 27% of rural Nebraskans said they have used AI tools such as chatbots or automated writing assistants, meaning nearly three‑quarters have never tried them.[8][1] Researchers note that this relatively low level of engagement raises concerns about whether rural communities will be able to fully participate in AI‑driven economic and civic changes.[8][1]
Age is a major dividing line
Age emerged as one of the strongest predictors of AI experience in the Rural Poll. Among Nebraskans under 30, a majority — 55% — reported using AI tools, in stark contrast with older residents.[8][1] Only about 9% of those aged 65 and older said they had used AI.[1] Younger adults were also much more likely to say they are very or extremely informed about AI.[1]
This age divide parallels national survey data. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that about 62% of U.S. adults under 30 had heard or read “a lot” about AI, compared with just 32% of adults 65 and older.[9] Other research has shown that AI use tends to peak in early to mid‑career years and declines steadily after age 60.[3][4]
Education and income strongly linked to AI use
The Nebraska Rural Poll report shows that people with more education are far more likely to have experimented with AI tools.[1] About 40% of respondents with at least a four‑year college degree reported using AI, compared with only 4% among those with a high school diploma or less.[1] The survey also found higher usage among people in management, professional, education, food service and personal care jobs, which tend to require more formal training.[1]
Household income tells a similar story. Rural Nebraskans with higher incomes were more likely to say they had tried AI tools and to report feeling at least moderately informed about the technology.[1] Nationally, a Phoenix Center analysis of more than 7,000 U.S. adults found that AI use and AI awareness both rise with income and education while declining with age.[4] A separate Rutgers University survey likewise reported that higher‑income and college‑educated Americans use AI more often, trust it more and demonstrate greater knowledge about how it works.[6]
Limited confidence that AI serves the public interest
Beyond awareness and usage, the Nebraska Rural Poll explored how residents feel about AI’s broader impact. Many respondents said they are not confident that AI is being used in the best interest of the public.[8][1] That skepticism was particularly strong among those who felt least informed, suggesting that low literacy may be fueling mistrust.[8][1]
National research points to similar tensions. While more educated and higher‑income Americans tend to trust AI more, surveys consistently find worries across demographic groups about job loss, misinformation and privacy.[3][6][9] For rural communities, where economies often rely on agriculture, small business and local services, the stakes of how AI reshapes work and communication may feel especially high.[8][5]
Nebraska’s broader digital readiness challenge
The new findings on AI land in a state that already faces structural challenges in technology readiness. A recent analysis ranked Nebraska as the 20th least prepared state for the AI economy based on jobs, education and government funding.[5] The report cited relatively weak federal support for tech‑oriented small business innovation and below‑average rates of AI‑related degrees among Nebraskans in their early twenties.[5]
Earlier studies of digital readiness in Nebraska also found large gaps tied to age, income and educational attainment, with smaller differences between urban and rural counties.[10] Those same divides now appear to be shaping who knows about AI and who feels left behind.[1][8]
Call for education and outreach in rural communities
Researchers behind the Rural Poll say the results underscore the need for targeted education and outreach if rural Nebraskans are to benefit from AI rather than be sidelined by it.[8][1] They argue that improving AI literacy — from basic definitions to practical examples in agriculture, health care and local government — could help residents make more informed decisions and evaluate risks.[1][8]
The pattern found in Nebraska mirrors broader academic work showing that younger people with tertiary education and mid‑ to high‑income levels use a wider range of AI tools, report greater confidence and rely on AI for more complex tasks.[7][3] Without deliberate efforts to close those gaps, experts warn that AI could deepen existing inequalities in economic opportunity, civic participation and access to information.[4][6][9]
