Research into the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenUI) among adult internet users in Slovenia shows that the initial enthusiasm surrounding the new technology is beginning to subside. GenUI is already used by 80% of internet users, a significant increase from 2025, when the figure stood at 51%. As adoption continues to grow rapidly, so too does concern about the future development of artificial intelligence (AI), its impact on work and interpersonal relationships, as well as issues surrounding privacy and control.

The research was conducted in May 2026 by the Center for Social Informatics at the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Social Sciences, using a representative sample of 1,435 residents of Slovenia recruited through the probability-based online 1KA panel.

GenUI is already used by 80% of internet users

Users most commonly rely on free GenUI tools. However, 24% of monthly users already use paid tools, an increase of 14 percentage points compared with 2025. Among weekly users, ChatGPT remains the most widely used tool, although its share has fallen from 83% in 2025 to 69% in 2026.

In the workplace, GenUI is used by 41% of employed internet users, with 80% of them reporting that it saves them time. At the same time, the overall volume of work has more often increased (17%) than decreased (15%) as a result of new tasks associated with GenUI use. Half of employees believe that AI will significantly change their work over the next five years, while one-third believe that AI will replace most of their work.

GenUI is used for educational purposes by 91% of university students and adult secondary-school students, 92% of whom report saving time. At the same time, compared with 2025, the perceived time savings in work and education have declined, while the feeling that work or learning can be done less effectively when using GenUI is growing.

From initial enthusiasm to greater caution

Although GenUI adoption is expanding rapidly, trust in GenUI and AI services among both new and existing users has declined compared with 2025. 42% of users are concerned about the future development of AI, while 15% are enthusiastic about it. Among intensive GenUI users, the ratio is reversed: 38% are enthusiastic and 19% are concerned.

On average, GenUI users report a positive impact of the technology on personal satisfaction and social life. Nevertheless, collective pessimism about AI’s impact on employment and interpersonal relationships is increasing. In this respect, Slovenia ranks among the more pessimistic countries.

Users’ relationship with chatbots

Most GenUI users treat chatbots as people and interact with them in a friendly, respectful and considerate manner. Around one-fifth of users feel comfortable interacting with chatbots and would miss them if they were gone, while for just over one-tenth, the relationship has already become personally significant. Around 5% of users have developed a personal relationship with GenUI and use it when they need someone to talk to. Most users have already turned to the technology with personal and intimate questions, with one in ten doing so on a weekly basis.

Concerns about GenUI regulation

Despite growing general concern about the development of AI, the share of people who believe there is too little regulation has declined, from 45% in 2025 to 38% in 2026. At the same time, the proportion concerned about excessive regulation has increased from 32% to 35%. Fewer than one in five users trust the EU and Slovenia to regulate AI appropriately. 71% believe that education on the responsible use of GenUI should be incorporated into the school system.

Information privacy remains another important issue. Internet users are highly concerned about the protection of their data and do not trust corporations. Feelings of uncertainty, a lack of understanding of how processes work, and a loss of control are increasing, reflected in users’ sense of powerlessness when it comes to protecting and controlling their personal data. Nevertheless, most users are not giving up; instead, they intend to take greater responsibility for their own information security.

The spread of digital technologies and a new phase for GenUI

The research results show that, alongside GenUI, other digital technologies and practices continue to spread. YouTube is used weekly by 70% of respondents, up from 60% in 2024, while 40% use infinite scrolling every day—twice as many as in 2024 (20%). This is also associated with more frequent neglect of work and family responsibilities.

At the same time, GenUI is moving from an initial phase of rapid adoption into a new era. New services, changes to business processes, and expectations of increased productivity are coming to the fore. The effects of this phase will be more indirect and complex.

The full research report is available here.