Over Half Would Stop Using AI if it Required Payment

A new Howdy consumer sentiment survey on artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among Americans found trends of reluctant adoption and an overarching feeling it’s not good for them:

• 96% have tried AI, and 86% use it currently.
• 51% said AI is overhyped.
• 77% said it makes people lazier, and 57% said it weakens critical thinking.

For the people who use it, the day-to-day experience is overwhelmingly positive—98% find AI useful, 86% said it improves their lives, and 75% said it makes them more productive.

Americans also trust AI more than social media, government agencies, search engines, journalists, and employers. For example, one in five (20%) trust AI more than government agencies, and 14% trust it more than journalists.

Still, only about a quarter (26%) of users currently pay for AI, and 54% said they would stop using it entirely if it required payment. Given the choice between investing in AI and investing in manpower, 68% would rather invest in people. Furthermore, only 18% of users said AI makes them money.

When Americans reach for AI, they overwhelmingly reach for it as a search tool. Search habits are clearly in flux, but traditional search still holds the line—for now. When asked how they prefer to look things up:

• 51% choose traditional Google search.
• 25% prefer Google’s AI Mode/AI Overviews.
• 15% use a non-Google AI tool.
• 9% opt for a non-Google search engine.

Add it up and roughly four in 10 Americans now prefer some form of AI-driven answer over the classic blue links.