Most Americans now use AI for shopping
Nearly 70% of American adults now use artificial intelligence to help them shop, a recent national survey shows. The shift marks a new phase in how consumers discover and buy products.
The study, based on responses from 2,000 adults, indicates AI has moved beyond research and into mainstream shopping habits. About 71% of participants expect to depend on it even more in the years ahead.
AI shopping moves from search to purchase
For many, AI has become a single platform for shopping—handling everything from brand discovery to price comparisons and final purchases. Nearly two-thirds of shoppers said AI shaped a recent buying decision, while 30% have already completed a purchase directly through it.
This change is forcing retailers to adjust their strategies. Brands that ignore AI-driven shopping risk disappearing from recommendations. One estimate suggests AI could shape up to $750 billion in U.S. consumer spending by 2028, making visibility in these systems essential.
Companies are now focusing on how their products appear in AI responses rather than just keywords. Some have begun auditing their presence across different AI models, refining their content to ensure accuracy and better placement.
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Trust, but verify: How shoppers use AI
Consumers are growing more comfortable with AI for shopping, though they don’t accept its suggestions without question. The survey found 43% trust brand information from AI platforms, but over half check the sources behind the responses.
Nearly 60% want to know where AI gets its data, showing a cautious approach. About one in five even ranked these tools as their most trusted shopping source, matching online reviews and personal recommendations.
This creates advantages for brands that provide clear, accurate data to AI systems. Those that don’t risk being misrepresented or left out of suggestions. Some retailers have started working directly with AI platforms to ensure their product details are properly included.
The survey confirms AI shopping is becoming permanent, with consumers increasingly letting algorithms guide their choices. For brands, the task is no longer just about being found—it’s about being accurately interpreted by systems that don’t always show their work.
As integration challenges grow in financial services, retailers face similar hurdles ensuring their data flows smoothly into AI platforms.
