AI Use Grows Despite Low Trust
A new Gallup survey shows that artificial intelligence has become one source of financial guidance for some Americans. About one in five people who sought money advice during the previous year used AI. However, public confidence remains limited. Only about three in ten U.S. adults expressed at least some confidence in AI’s financial expertise. Just 3% said they trusted it a great deal.
This contrast suggests that convenience does not equal confidence. AI can answer questions quickly and at little cost. Still, many users appear unwilling to treat its responses as fully dependable financial advice. The survey therefore reveals a clear gap between experimentation with new tools and trust in their judgment.
Human Advisers Remain More Trusted
Most adults place greater confidence in professional financial advisers. About eight in ten expressed at least some confidence in them. Yet only around one-third of people seeking guidance actually consulted a professional. Instead, 73% relied on their own internet research. Others turned to relatives, news, social media, friends, influencers, employers, or educational sources.
Younger generations were especially likely to use AI, partly because professional advice can be expensive. About one-quarter of Gen Z and millennial advice seekers used it. The shares fell to 16% among Gen X and 7% among baby boomers. Meanwhile, older adults were much more likely to consult a professional adviser than younger adults.
Experts Recommend Careful Verification
Financial specialists said AI can be useful at the beginning of a learning process. It may explain basic terms or clarify differences between financial products. Nevertheless, Taha Choukhmane of MIT advised users to combine those explanations with other trusted sources. He also recommended asking AI for references and checking the information it provides.
Certified financial planner Bobbi Rebell emphasized an important limitation. Human planners have fiduciary responsibilities, while AI tools do not. An AI system does not fully understand a person’s life or ask every necessary question. Ultimately, users remain responsible for decisions based on its responses. The Gallup survey included 5,075 U.S. adults aged 21 and older. It was conducted from March 20 through April 6, 2026, with a 1.8-point margin of sampling error.
References
Morga, A. (2026, August 7). Some US adults are using AI for financial guidance but few trust it, Gallup poll finds. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-financial-planning-money-7b77e31b127d83dd22c11161ffaddff2