What Americans Really Think About Sharing Their Data With AI

Artificial intelligence tools are now woven into daily life—drafting emails, summarizing meetings, and suggesting what to buy. But as these systems become more capable, they also become more hungry for personal data. How do Americans feel about that tradeoff? New surveys from the Pew Research Center and other sources provide a clearer picture.

What Happened

Pew’s 2023 survey on Americans and data privacy found that a large majority of U.S. adults are uneasy about companies using their personal information to train AI models. Specifically, 67% of Americans say they have little to no trust in companies to handle their data responsibly for AI purposes. The same study reported that 81% of adults believe companies should be required to obtain explicit consent before using personal data for AI training.

These numbers align with earlier findings: Pew’s “Key findings about Americans and data privacy” (2023) noted that most people feel they have little control over how their data is collected and used. A more recent Digital Information World article based on the same data underscored that younger adults (ages 18–29) are slightly more comfortable sharing data for AI, but a majority in every age group still expresses concern.

The trend is consistent across multiple surveys. Americans may use AI tools, but they are not at ease with how their data fuels them.

Why It Matters

These attitudes have real consequences. Consumer discomfort drives regulatory action—state laws like California’s privacy rules and proposed federal frameworks for AI accountability are direct responses to public demand. Companies also face pressure to offer clearer opt-out options and transparency about data use.

For the average person, the data means your unease is shared. It also means that when you use a free AI chat tool or photo editor, the company behind it likely trains its models on your inputs unless you take deliberate steps to prevent it. The gap between what people want (explicit consent) and what happens (vague terms of service) is where risk lives.

There is also bipartisan support for stricter rules. Pew’s surveys show that both Republicans and Democrats favor requiring companies to get permission before using data for AI. That level of agreement is rare in American politics—a sign that data privacy is a genuinely cross‑cutting concern.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t have to stop using AI tools, but you can take practical steps to reduce exposure.

  • Check the privacy policy and data use terms. Many AI services have settings that let you opt out of having your conversations used for training. Look for “Improve the model” or “Data for training” toggles.
  • Use incognito or temporary modes. Some platforms offer a “no-log” option—use it when discussing sensitive topics.
  • Avoid sharing personally identifiable information. Do not give AI tools your full name, address, phone number, or financial details, even in seemingly benign requests.
  • Delete conversation history regularly. Most AI chatbots let you clear your chat log. Make it a habit after any session involving personal data.
  • Consider self-hosted or local AI models. For frequent use, tools that run entirely on your device (like LLM apps that download the model) do not send data to a server.
  • Support stricter privacy laws. Write to your representatives about the need for transparent AI data practices. Public opinion matters.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “Key findings about Americans and data privacy.” October 2023.
  • Pew Research Center. “How Americans Feel About Sharing Their Data With AI.” Reported by Digital Information World, June 2026.
  • Digital Information World. “Many Americans Pessimistic about AI’s Impact – and Want More Regulation.” May 2026.

These findings are based on nationally representative surveys with typical margins of error of about ±2–3 percentage points. Attitudes may shift as AI becomes more familiar, but the current data shows a clear baseline: Americans want control over their data, and they are not satisfied with the status quo.