AI Becomes Everyday Infrastructure: 77% of Americans Now Use AI Tools, Often Without Realizing It

 – Two-thirds say they use AI weekly; one-third use it daily –

PLUS: Nearly two-thirds say AI influences their shopping process, from discovery to purchase

DENVER, CO (December 1, 2025)—Adtaxi, one of the nation’s fastest-growing digital marketing agencies, today released the findings of its 2025 AI & The U.S. Consumer Survey, revealing the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) has become woven into daily American life. Once a futuristic concept, AI is now a built-in tool driving everything from search and shopping to workplace productivity and entertainment.

According to this national survey, 77% of U.S. adults intentionally use at least one AI-enabled tool, while an additional segment interacts with AI unintentionally through search engines, navigation apps, social media feeds, and ecommerce recommendations. With 65% using AI at least weekly and one-third using it daily, AI has clearly moved beyond novelty to necessity.

“For more than a decade, Adtaxi has tracked the evolution of digital consumer behavior,” said Murry Woronoff, Director of Research at Adtaxi. “With 2025 branded as the year of AI, this year’s data makes it clear that the technology is the invisible engine driving how Americans search, shop, learn, and interact. Consumers may not always recognize it, but AI shapes their choices every day. This is a reality brands and marketers must navigate, accept, and embrace, or risk being left behind.”

The survey found Americans aren’t just experimenting with AI; they’re embracing it across generations. More than three-quarters of adults now use AI tools intentionally, from ChatGPT to Gemini and Copilot. Even among people over 60, half say they’re tapping into AI regularly. AI has also become a go-to shopping sidekick, with nearly half using it for personalized recommendations, 43% turning to it for deals, and over a third using it to spark gift or product ideas.

Key findings from Adtaxi’s 2025 AI & The U.S. Consumer Survey include:

Daily AI Without Realizing It: Most Americans interact with AI passively through search (69%), navigation (56%), streaming recommendations (55%), ecommerce suggestions (48%), and social media feeds (47%). The average adult uses four different AI-powered platform types.

AI as Daily Habit (at Work & Home): 65% of adults use AI weekly as consumers and in their daily lives. 51% claim to use it weekly at work, with one fourth of workers engaging with it daily, illustrating the rapid integration of AI into professional workflows.

Shopping & Commerce Are Being Reinvented: Nearly two-thirds (62%) say AI, combined with social media, influences their purchase decisions by making it easier to find products, exposing them to new brands, or helping them secure better deals.

Trust Gap Remains: Consumers still trust people more than machines. 79% trust friends and family for recommendations, 66% trust user reviews, while only 25% trust AI-generated product suggestions.

Top Concerns? Misinformation & Privacy: 96% of adults express at least one concern with AI. Leading fears include misinformation and deepfakes (27%), and data privacy/surveillance (18%).

AI’s Role in Search & Social: AI-generated search summaries are gaining acceptance, with 67% viewing them positively. On social media, sentiment is mixed: 35% say AI makes platforms more useful and relevant, while an equal share sees the downsides of algorithmic manipulation.

“As AI weaves deeper into every touchpoint of the digital landscape, marketers need partners who understand how to use these tools with purpose, not speed,” said Chris Loretto, EVP of Adtaxi. “These survey findings reinforce that AI isn’t a future trend; it’s today’s consumer default. At Adtaxi, we’re helping brands successfully navigate this shift by using AI intelligently and responsibly. We are turning data into informed decisions and designing experiences where personalization, transparency, and trust come standard.”

To view the full report, click here.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey among a national sample of 1,011 U.S. adults across regions, income levels, genders, and ages. The survey was fielded on August 27, 2025.

About Adtaxi:
Founded in 2010 within MediaNews Group, Adtaxi made its mark in programmatic advertising before expanding into search, social, and connected TV. Over time, Adtaxi has refined and perfected its holistic performance-based strategy, which became the foundation of Quantum, originally launched in 2015. Leveraging the power of people plus technology, Adtaxi’s innovative full-funnel methodology maximizes performance and delivers superior value for advertisers. Adtaxi partners with clients as a single point of contact across multi-platform campaign cycles. Find Adtaxi on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.