Survey: 32% of Consumers Now Use AI Every Single Day, But Trust Remains Low

Survey: 32% of Consumers Now Use AI Every Single Day, But Trust Remains Low

For a while, using artificial intelligence felt like a magic trick. We asked questions, and the machine answered. We requested summaries, and they appeared. But according to the 2026 AI Consumer Insights Survey recently released by Shift Browser, the “wow factor” is giving way to a more mature—and cautious—relationship. As a spoiler, it seems that users like AI features—as long as they are useful—but they also want to be more in control of them …

Consumers Want AI — As Long As They’re the Ones in Control

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, consumers are signaling that while innovation is welcome, control is non-negotiable.According to Shift’s 2026 AI Consumer Insights Survey, nearly a third of consumers report engaging with AI daily, and 31% actively use browser-based AI tools. Adoption is particularly strong among tech/IT professionals and hybrid employees, while older consumers are less likely to use it. More than half (5…