Artificial Intelligence: Consumer Sentiments 2026

This CTA research explores the level of awareness and interest among U.S. consumers regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications.

As AI applications are developed and tested through multiple verticals, it is important to understand the extent and scope of benefits offered for consumers, as well as the interplay between consumer concerns and how AI technologies will evolve in the future.

Specifically, this report:

• Measures U.S. consumer awareness, familiarity and perceived understanding of AI technologies and capabilities.
• Assesses sentiment, trust and perceptions of AI, including the information sources shaping consumer views.
• Evaluates current AI usage, including generative AI tools, use cases, barriers to adoption and user experiences.
• Understands consumer concerns related to accuracy, privacy, safety, bias, disinformation, job impact and data use.
• Gauges openness to AI applications across personal, household, professional and societal use cases.
• Explores perceptions of AI-enabled products and how AI features influence purchase interest and upgrade intent.
• Assesses expectations for AI’s future impact, including timing, affected sectors and perceived benefits or harms.
• Evaluates attitudes toward AI transparency, governance, regulation and U.S. leadership in AI policy and innovation.

Published: September 2026

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