What Americans Really Think About Sharing Data With AI (and How to Protect Yourself)

A new survey has pulled back the curtain on how Americans feel about handing over their personal information to artificial intelligence tools. The results are not surprising to privacy advocates: a majority of people are uneasy with the data collection practices of AI companies, and many want stronger guardrails.

The findings come from a survey covered by Digital Information World, which asked respondents about their comfort level with AI systems using their data. While the exact figures are not yet public in full detail, early reporting indicates that a substantial portion of Americans are wary of how their information is collected, stored, and used by AI chatbots, image generators, and smart assistants. The unease is particularly high when it comes to sensitive personal data.

This survey aligns with a separate poll from Pew Research Center published earlier this year, which found that many Americans are pessimistic about AI’s impact on society and want more regulation. Both surveys point to a growing gap between how fast AI tools are being adopted and how much control users have over their own data.

What happened

The Digital Information World survey asked Americans about their attitudes toward data sharing with AI tools. Key concerns that emerged include:

  • Privacy violations: People worry that AI companies collect more data than necessary and may not secure it properly.
  • Lack of transparency: It is often unclear what data is being collected, how long it is kept, and whether it is used to train future models.
  • Fear of misuse: Respondents expressed concern about their data being sold, leaked, or used in ways they did not consent to.

The survey also showed that discomfort varies by demographic. Younger, more tech-savvy users tend to be slightly less concerned, while older adults and those with lower digital literacy are more cautious. Income and education also play a role, but the overall sentiment is caution across the board.

Why it matters

These attitudes are not idle worries. AI tools are already embedded in everyday life—search engines, customer service chatbots, writing assistants, and smartphone features all rely on user data to function. The more data these systems collect, the more they can learn about individuals, making privacy breaches or misuse more consequential.

The survey results also signal a shift in public expectation. Many Americans want companies to be more upfront about their data practices and to offer clearer opt-out options. There is also growing support for federal privacy laws that would set baseline requirements for how AI companies handle personal information. This kind of pressure can influence how products are designed and what policies are adopted.

What readers can do

Even without new regulations in place, you can take practical steps to reduce your data exposure when using AI tools:

  1. Read the privacy policy. Before signing up for any AI service, glance at what data it collects and whether it shares it with third parties. Look for statements about data retention and deletion.

  2. Use a throwaway account. For chatbots and image generators that don’t require a real identity, create an account with a minimal profile. Use a secondary email address and avoid giving your real name if the service allows.

  3. Turn off data sharing where possible. Many AI tools have settings that let you limit data collection or opt out of having your conversations used for training. Dig into the settings menu and disable anything you’re not comfortable with.

  4. Be careful what you type. Treat AI tools like public forums. Do not share passwords, financial information, medical details, or anything you wouldn’t want a stranger to know.

  5. Use browser extensions that block trackers. Privacy-focused extensions can help prevent AI chatbots from collecting data across websites.

  6. Stay informed. As regulations and company policies change, keep an eye on updates. The current landscape is fluid, and tools that respect privacy today may not do so tomorrow.

Sources

  • Digital Information World – How Americans Feel About Sharing Their Data With AI (June 12, 2026)
  • Digital Information World – Many Americans Pessimistic about AI’s Impact – and Want More Regulation (May 20, 2026)
  • Pew Research Center – What we know about energy use at U.S. data centers amid the AI boom (October 24, 2025)
  • Pew Research Center – News Platform Fact Sheet (September 25, 2025)

The full survey results from Digital Information World have not been released in raw form yet, so some numbers remain approximate. However, the trends are clear enough to act on.