People with an evening chronotype are more likely to delay bedtime, and for women, problematic use of generative AI tools amplifies this effect, according to a survey of 410 adult users.
Bedtime procrastination is a growing concern in the digital age, but the role of new generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and image generators has not been examined in this context. Researchers at Duzce University and Anadolu University in Turkey surveyed 410 adult generative AI users (51.5% women, mean age 41.27) and used structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among chronotype, problematic generative AI use, and bedtime procrastination.
What They Found. Higher morningness (preference for morning activity) was consistently associated with lower bedtime procrastination in the total sample, and this held for both men and women separately.
The relationship between chronotype and problematic generative AI use differed by gender. Morningness was positively and significantly associated with problematic AI use only among men, suggesting that male early birds are more susceptible to overusing AI tools. However, problematic AI use was associated with higher bedtime procrastination in the total sample and among women, while this link was not significant among men.
Despite these associations, problematic generative AI use did not significantly mediate the relationship between morningness and bedtime procrastination. The direct path from chronotype to procrastination remained the dominant driver.
Why It Matters. Generative AI tools have been adopted at unprecedented speed, and this study is among the first to examine their potential impact on sleep. The findings identify gender-specific patterns: evening-type women appear most vulnerable to the combination of AI overuse and bedtime delay. As AI tools become embedded in daily life, understanding these dynamics could inform both sleep hygiene recommendations and responsible AI use guidelines.
Limits. The sample was recruited via online survey and may not be representative. All measures were self-reported. The cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions about whether chronotype drives AI use patterns or vice versa. The study examined AI use broadly rather than specific tools or use cases.
Bottom Line. Evening chronotype is linked to more bedtime procrastination, and problematic generative AI use adds to this risk primarily among women. Chronotype-informed interventions could help mitigate the sleep consequences of widespread AI adoption.
Source: Kırcaburun K, Çalışkan H. “Chronotype and bedtime procrastination: The role of problematic generative artificial intelligence use and gender.” Chronobiology International. Published June 19, 2026;1-12. DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2026.2692532