Only 18% of Americans Find AI Useful in Making Money, 54% Say It’s Not Worth Paying For
Measure current AI adoption levels in your client base to benchmark against the 26% paid usage figure.
Track your clients' AI usage and adjust content strategies accordingly.
Summary
An HR‑tech firm Howdy surveyed over 1,000 Americans to gauge AI adoption for business use. The study found that 96% of respondents have tried AI, and 86% use it routinely, yet only 26% are paying for an AI platform. Meanwhile, 54% said they would drop an AI tool if it required payment. Trust metrics were high: 34% trust AI results more than social media, 20% trust AI more than government, and 14% trust AI more than journalists. The data suggest that while AI is widely experimented with, willingness to pay remains low. The findings highlight a gap between experimentation and monetization that could influence how agencies pitch AI‑powered services. Agencies may need to demonstrate clear ROI to convert trial users into paying customers. The study also underscores the importance of building trust through transparent AI practices.
Key changes
- 96% of respondents have tried AI
- 86% use AI routinely
- 26% are paying for an AI platform
- 54% would drop an AI tool if it required payment
- 34% trust AI results more than social media
- 20% trust AI more than government
- 14% trust AI more than journalists