A significant majority of adults in the United States are now incorporating artificial intelligence answer engines into their digital routines, according to a new report from Hoverboard AI. The 2026 AI Answer Engine Trust & Search Behavior Report reveals that 77% of respondents use at least one AI-driven tool.
The research, which surveyed 1,097 U.S. adults aged 18 to 65, suggests a notable shift in how consumers approach major life choices. Approximately 49% of users rely on AI answer engines to research expensive purchases or significant life decisions, while 43.8% use the technology for shopping and product-related decisions.
ChatGPT currently leads the market in both adoption and consumer confidence. More than 64% of those surveyed use ChatGPT, compared to 50% who use Google Gemini. Furthermore, among users who express trust in at least one AI platform, nearly 60% identify ChatGPT as their most trusted tool for important decisions, significantly outpacing Gemini’s 20.3%.
Trust in these technologies appears to be increasing. More than 53% of respondents reported having greater trust in AI answer engines than they did a year ago, whereas fewer than 16% indicated a decline in confidence.
The study also identified a correlation between household income and AI adoption. Usage reached 92% among households earning $150,000 or more, compared to 70% for households with incomes between $50,000 and $74,999.
Consumers are increasingly applying AI to high-stakes sectors. The survey found that 56.8% of participants expressed confidence in the accuracy of AI for health-related matters. Additionally, 46.3% were likely to use AI for financial research and advice, and 46.6% indicated they would trust the technology for accurate legal information.
The data suggests a fragmented search landscape where consumers do not rely on a single source. On average, respondents utilized 2.3 different answer engines. While traditional Google Search remains the most common channel for major decision-making research, AI answer engines have become a fundamental component of the process for nearly half of the population.
The survey was conducted between April and June 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
