The artificial intelligence industry is facing a massive paradox: more people are using the tools, but fewer people trust the companies behind them. According to the 2026 AI Trust Report released by Morning Consult, the AI sector has plummeted to become one of the least trusted industries in the United States, even as self-reported usage of chatbots climbed from 31% to 49% over the last two years.
The report, based on data collected through April 30, 2026, reveals a stark divide between the “Anglosphere”—the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia—and the rest of the world.
While trust is cratering domestically, it is surging in markets across Asia, Africa, and South America. In the U.S., however, the share of adults who say they “do not trust AI at all” has jumped nine points since last August, now sitting at 36%.
The data shows that Americans are increasingly skeptical of the motives and transparency of AI developers. Only 12% of respondents believe AI leaders are credible or trustworthy. The skepticism is particularly high among rural residents, women, and adults over 65.
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“Consumer distrust poses a growing threat to the AI industry and broader tech sector,” the report states. “Tracking data shows Americans are souring on AI, even as they find more reasons to use the technology and recognize practical benefits.”
Key concerns driving this shift include:
- Misinformation: 39% of Americans associate AI with the spread of fake content.
- Job Security: 38% believe AI products threaten their livelihoods.
- Data Privacy: 33% worry about the misuse of personal data and lack of consent in training models.
Interestingly, the “existential risk” often discussed by tech philosophers—the idea that AI might end human civilization—ranks lowest on the list of public concerns, with only 20% of people identifying it as a primary worry.
The report tracked dozens of brands, finding that 60% of AI companies now fall into the top quartile of most-distrusted brands in the U.S.
Elon Musk’s xAI saw the sharpest decline, dropping 5.5 points in net trust. Other major players like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Meta AI also saw their trust scores soften. Google’s Gemini stood out as the sole exception among major brands, gaining six points and maintaining a consistent upward trajectory in consumer confidence.
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Despite the industry-wide slump, the report notes that many opinions are not yet “hardened.” Roughly three-quarters of Americans still report having no firm opinion or familiarity with brands like Anthropic or xAI.
While the U.S. perspective is grim, the global outlook is remarkably different. In countries like Nigeria, India, and Vietnam, net trust in AI tools like ChatGPT remains exceptionally high, often exceeding +50 points.
Japan has emerged as a unique case study. Between April 2025 and 2026, AI brands accounted for four of the six fastest-growing brands in the country. Usage of Gemini and ChatGPT in Japan increased by over 15% in a single year, with consumer trust rising in lockstep with adoption.
The report also highlighted a widening partisan divide in the U.S. While Republican trust in the industry has remained relatively stable near +18 points, Democratic net trust fell from a peak of 12 in late 2025 to 7.4 in April 2026.
This shift could have long-term implications for the industry. The report suggests that a future Democratic-led government would face a constituency that is significantly more AI-skeptical, potentially increasing the political pressure for strict regulations regarding copyright, antitrust, and content moderation.
How do you think AI companies should change their communication strategies to address this growing distrust among U.S. consumers?
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