How AI use is spreading while trust trails
Core finding
AI use is already broad, but the public is not treating adoption as the same thing as trust.
About 63% of adults say they used AI tools in the past month. At the same time, 50% disagree that tech companies can be trusted to develop AI responsibly, and 60% say they are not confident regulators can keep up with AI rules.
Recent AI use is common
About 63% of adults say they have used AI tools in their work or personal life in the past month.
Use is not equally routine, though. The largest frequency groups are split between a few times a week at 22% and never at 22%.
Stacked breakdown
63% have used AI tools in the past month.
n = 1,519 · Sep 3–8, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
ChatGPT and Google Gemini lead the tool set
ChatGPT is the most recognized tool at 86%, with Google Gemini close behind at 80%.
Recent use follows the same pattern. About 46% used ChatGPT in the last month, and 40% used Google Gemini. Planned use in a separate wave also starts with those two tools.
Topline
86% have heard of ChatGPT, and 80% have heard of Google Gemini.
n = 1,519 · Sep 3–8, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
Adoption does not mean institutional trust
Trust is weaker than use. About 50% disagree that tech companies can be trusted to develop AI responsibly, compared with 24% who agree.
Adults still want guardrails: 79% favor independent safety tests before powerful new models are released.
Confidence in regulators is also limited. Roughly 60% are not very confident or not at all confident that regulators can keep pace with AI rules.
Stacked breakdown
50% disagree that tech companies can be trusted on AI responsibility.
n = 1,519 · Sep 3–8, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
Stacked breakdown
79% favor independent safety tests for powerful AI models.
n = 1,509 · Jul 30 – Aug 4, 2025 · MoE ±3.1%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Sep 3–8, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,519 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | AI Adoption Survey August 2025 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/august-ai-survey-2025
Have you used artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your work or personal life at all in the past month?
- reports.verasight.io/r/august-ai-survey-2025
Roughly how often do you use AI tools?
- reports.verasight.io/r/august-ai-survey-2025
Which of the following AI tools have you heard of?
- reports.verasight.io/r/august-ai-survey-2025
Which of the following AI tools have you used in the last month?
- reports.verasight.io/r/august-ai-survey-2025
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following: - I trust tech companies to develop AI responsibly
- verasight-monthly-ai-july.tiiny.co
Do you favor or oppose requiring AI developers to pass independent safety tests before releasing powerful new models to the public?
Cite this topic
AI Adoption Survey August 2025, fielded September 3-8, 2025, N=1,519 United States adults, +/- 3.3%.