EY has found that artificial intelligence adoption is accelerating rapidly across global markets, with users increasingly allowing AI systems to make decisions on their behalf—even as concerns around trust, security, and governance remain high.
According to the firm’s 2026 AI Sentiment Report, 84% of respondents said they had used AI in the past six months, while 16% reported using systems capable of acting autonomously without human intervention. The findings suggest that AI is moving beyond experimentation into everyday reliance, with autonomy becoming a present reality rather than a future concept.
The study, which surveyed over 18,000 individuals across 23 markets, highlights a widening gap between usage and confidence. While adoption continues to rise, trust in how AI is governed has not kept pace.
Raj Sharma noted that a growing segment of users is already delegating decisions to AI, while many others are integrating it into routine tasks. He said this trend presents both opportunities and responsibilities for businesses, which must carefully scale AI adoption while addressing concerns around safety and transparency.
AI’s widespread use is being driven largely by familiarity with low-risk, everyday applications such as navigation, customer support, travel planning, and content recommendations. This growing comfort is now translating into greater willingness to delegate tasks to AI systems.
The report found that 9% of respondents have used autonomous vehicles or taxis, 10% have relied on AI agents to make purchases, and 11% allow AI to manage activities such as shopping refills or banking tasks. Even among those who have not yet adopted such tools, openness remains high, with many expressing willingness to let AI handle tasks like applying discounts, resolving customer service issues, or managing home security and scheduling.
Despite this momentum, concerns remain widespread. Around two-thirds of respondents worry about potential security breaches in AI systems, while a similar proportion believe human oversight is still essential. Nearly three-quarters expressed concern about distinguishing between real and AI-generated content.
Joe Depa emphasized that trust will be a critical factor in determining long-term success in the AI economy. He said organizations must focus on delivering reliable, transparent, and accountable AI experiences to bridge the gap between growing usage and lingering skepticism.
The report also identifies a group of “pioneer” markets—including India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Hong Kong, and South Korea—where AI adoption is significantly more advanced. In these markets, 94% of respondents reported using AI, and nearly one in four have already engaged with autonomous systems.
Other regions fall into “transitional” or “lagging” categories, where adoption is slower and attitudes toward AI remain more cautious.
The findings suggest that while trust challenges persist, AI is becoming deeply embedded in everyday life, with users increasingly willing to rely on it for both routine and higher-stakes decisions—reshaping how individuals and organizations interact with technology.
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