HTOPS November 2026 Non-Substantive Change

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October 23, 2026

TO:			Desk Officer for the U.S. Census Bureau
			Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

FROM:			Acting Survey Director, High Frequency Surveys
			Associate Directorate Demographic Programs

SUBJECT:	Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) November 2026 questionnaire content
The Census Bureau is writing to request approval of a Non-Substantive Change to the wording of specific questions within the planned November 2026 Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) data collection instrument approved on July 13, 2026 (OMB No. 0607-1029). Refer to the 30-day notice in the Federal Register (91 FR 33687) published June 4, 2026. This request is in keeping with the Census Bureau’s commitment to foster transparency in its efforts to produce new, relevant and timely data on the impacts of national events—whether social, economic, or health-related.
The requested change is to bring the HTOPS into compliance with Executive Order 14434: Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence by adjusting the wording of questions referencing “Artificial Intelligence” or “AI” to reference “Super Intelligence” or “SI” instead. The updated questions referencing “Super Intelligence” or “SI” are listed in Attachment 1 below, and the original questions referencing “Artificial Intelligence” or “AI” are listed in Attachment 2. 
Thank you for your consideration. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Attachment 1. Updated series of Questions Referencing “Super Intelligence” or “SI” in the November HTOPS
AIP1 Super Intelligence, formerly referred to as Artificial intelligence or AI, refers to software tools or built-in digital features that can generate text or images, answer questions, or make suggestions. This includes standalone tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, as well as features built into apps, devices, search engines, or software, such as search summaries or writing suggestions.
In the last 2 months, have YOU used these kinds of tools for any of the following activities?
Select all that apply.
☐ I have not used these tools in the last 2 months 
☐ Finding factual information
☐ Brainstorming or generating ideas
☐ Writing, editing, or translating text
☐ Assisting with schoolwork or learning
☐ Assisting with creative tasks (such as creating images, music, or writing)
☐ Searching for jobs or work opportunities
☐ Looking for housing or apartments
☐ Understanding government benefits or public services
☐ Getting health or medical information
☐  Mental health or emotional support
☐ Comparing financial products or services
☐ Other - Specify: __________

AIP2 Outside of work or school, how often did you personally use these kinds of tools in the last 2 months?
o Every day or almost every day
o Several times a week
o Several times a month
o Once or twice in the last 2 months


AIP3 Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements about Super Intelligence, formerly referred to as Artificial Intelligence or AI.
Statement
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree





Content generated by Super Intelligence is useful for the kinds of tasks I want to complete
I feel prepared to use Super Intelligence in daily life
o
o
o
o
I trust information generated by Super Intelligence systems
o
o
o
o
Super Intelligence tools help me complete tasks more quickly
o
o
o
o
I am concerned about Super Intelligence’s impact on jobs and careers
o
o
o
o
I am concerned about how Super Intelligence systems use personal data
o
o
o
o

AIP4 In the last 2 months, have you actively avoided or opted out of using digital tools or features that automatically generate or summarize content, help write messages or documents, or create images from descriptions?
Examples may include turning off summaries in a web browser such as Google Chrome, disabling email-drafting features in an email platform, or avoiding using tools like ChatGPT.
o Yes
o No
o Not sure

AI-JOB2 In the last 2 months, did you use Super Intelligence, formerly referred to as Artificial Intelligence or AI, tools for any of the following job search activities?
Select all that apply.
☐ Finding or evaluating job opportunities 
☐ Preparing application materials 
☐ Preparing for interviews 
☐ Assistance during a live interview or assessment 
☐ Learning or practicing job-related skills 
☐ None of the above 
☐ Other - Specify: __________


AI-JOB3 Overall, how much did these kinds of tools help with your job search activities?
o Helped a lot
o Helped somewhat
o Did not make much difference
o Made it somewhat more difficult
o Made it much more difficult

HTRUST_4 In general, how much would you trust information about health or medical topics from Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude?
o A great deal
o Quite a lot
o Some
o Very little

Attachment 2. Series of Questions Referencing “Artificial Intelligence” or “AI” originally planned in the November HTOPS
AIP1 Artificial intelligence or AI, refers to software tools or built-in digital features that can generate text or images, answer questions, or make suggestions. This includes standalone tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, as well as AI features built into apps, devices, search engines, or software, such as search summaries or writing suggestions.
In the last 2 months, have YOU used an AI tool for any of the following activities?
Select all that apply.
☐ I have not used an AI tool in the last 2 months 
☐ Finding factual information
☐ Brainstorming or generating ideas
☐ Writing, editing, or translating text
☐ Assisting with schoolwork or learning
☐ Assisting with creative tasks (such as creating images, music, or writing)
☐ Searching for jobs or work opportunities
☐ Looking for housing or apartments
☐ Understanding government benefits or public services
☐ Getting health or medical information
☐  Mental health or emotional support
☐ Comparing financial products or services
☐ Other - Specify: __________

AIP2 Outside of work or school, how often did you personally use AI tools in the last 2 months?
o Every day or almost every day
o Several times a week
o Several times a month
o Once or twice in the last 2 months


AIP3 Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Statement
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree





Content generated by AI is useful for the kinds of tasks I want to complete
I feel prepared to use AI in daily life
o
o
o
o
I trust information generated by AI systems
o
o
o
o
AI tools help me complete tasks more quickly
o
o
o
o
I am concerned about AI’s impact on jobs and careers
o
o
o
o
I am concerned about how AI systems use personal data
o
o
o
o

AIP4 In the last 2 months, have you actively avoided or opted out of using AI?
Examples may include disabling AI-generated summaries, turning off an AI assistant or feature, or avoiding use of an AI-based application.
o Yes
o No
o Not sure

AI-JOB2 In the last 2 months, did you use AI tools for any of the following job search activities?
Select all that apply.
☐ Finding or evaluating job opportunities 
☐ Preparing application materials 
☐ Preparing for interviews 
☐ Assistance during a live interview or assessment 
☐ Learning or practicing job-related skills 
☐ None of the above 
☐ Other - Specify: __________


AI-JOB3 Overall, how much did AI tools help with your job search activities?
o Helped a lot
o Helped somewhat
o Did not make much difference
o Made it somewhat more difficult
o Made it much more difficult

HTRUST_4 In general, how much would you trust information about health or medical topics from Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude?
o A great deal
o Quite a lot
o Some
o Very little