If one listens casually to the discourse round generative AI right now, it will be simple to return to the conclusion that everybody is clamoring for extra AI capabilities and might't wait to make use of them of their each day lives. However a latest ZDNET/Aberdeen survey into AI assistants reveals a transparent disconnect between how a lot distributors are pushing AI assistants and the way a lot customers truly need these capabilities — not less than for now.
The truth is, the survey from March 2025 discovered that 71% of Individuals wouldn’t pay additional for AI assistant options within the merchandise that they use. And whereas this quantity does change based mostly on age group (with the quantity rising to 81% for these 55+ and falling to 56% for these 18-34), there’s little enthusiasm throughout the board for AI assistant options, with solely 16% of the Gen Z demographic saying that they’d pay additional for AI.
Key takeaways from the survey
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A majority of all US adults say in a method or one other they won’t use most AI options. Solely "utilizing AI to reply questions" had a slight majority, with 52% saying they’d ceaselessly or sometimes use it. Additionally, answering questions was the one AI function that broke single digits for frequent use, with 13% saying they’d use it ceaselessly.
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The least desired use of an AI function was "an AI assistant to handle duties", with 64% saying they wouldn't use it, would flip off the aptitude if doable, or would cease utilizing a product with this function.
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When requested if they’d cease utilizing a product in the event that they couldn't flip off or take away AI assistant options, 31% stated they’d cease utilizing that product (together with 28% of Gen Z), with an extra 38% saying they could. With these outcomes, one may even see that for a major section of customers, AI assistants might truly be a detrimental in terms of gaining or retaining clients.
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On the flip aspect, a majority discovered worth in all of the AI functions examined, with probably the most worthwhile being "utilizing an AI assistant for picture modifying" (with 58% feeling it will be very or considerably worthwhile) and the least worthwhile being "AI assistant for digital assembly instruments" (with 52% discovering worth).
These findings are in stark distinction to the best way that most of the prime distributors are approaching AI and AI assistants. Usually, distributors are taking a full-steam-ahead technique of embedding AI assistants in all of their core merchandise, from smartphones to productiveness instruments to assembly and communications apps.
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Together with these aggressive AI methods are equally bold plans to extend prices or make AI a function that customers can pay additional for. Given the quantity of effort and assets that distributors are placing into AI and AI assistants, they clearly count on customers to wholeheartedly embrace AI in all components of their work and private lives.
Nonetheless, the latest ZDNET/Aberdeen survey reveals that there’s little present proof that this technique will repay, with solely 8% of adults saying they’d pay additional for AI capabilities of their services. And up to date surveys by CNET and Aberdeen present an identical lack of enthusiasm for AI function units, with some suggesting that AI has already entered the "trough of disillusionment" section of the Gartner hype cycle.
The truth is, after we requested adults if they’d cease utilizing a product in the event that they couldn't flip off or take away AI assistant options, 31% stated they’d cease utilizing that product (together with 28% of Gen Z), with an extra 38% saying they could. With these outcomes, one may even see that for a major section of customers, AI assistants might truly be a detrimental in terms of gaining or retaining clients.
Disinterest in AI assistants is a cross-generational trait
To grasp if the disinterest in AI capabilities was broad-based or centered on particular AI options, we requested US adults questions on how ceaselessly they’d use frequent AI capabilities, from writing to picture modifying to answering inquiries to assistants to assist with each day duties. A majority of adults stated they’d by no means use AI typically examined.
Much more regarding, given how most hype round AI facilities round the way it will turn into central to your each day life, customers who stated they’d ceaselessly use AI had been in single digits in all however one use case (utilizing AI to assist reply questions, which was at 13%). Which means that even amongst those that will use AI, they’ll principally solely use it sometimes, which hardly matches the narrative of AI being the principle method issues will get achieved.
After all, some would reply that the outcomes are skewed by older generations who’re uncomfortable with AI. However after we take a look at simply Gen Z (18 -28), whereas the outcomes for AI enhance, they’re hardly enthusiastic.
Usually amongst Gen Z, frequent utilization of AI options stays within the mid-teens, with solely "utilizing AI to reply questions" breaking the one in 5 threshold (23%). And Gen Z adults who say they’ll by no means use particular AI options stays proper round half, which means that counting on Gen Z to make up for lack of enthusiasm amongst older generations might not be a profitable technique.
However what about AI assistants designed to assist customers with frequent duties and scheduling? For instance, utilizing an AI assistant to rearrange journey, buy items or make a dinner reservation. Attend any vendor announcement about new AI capabilities and these examples are usually entrance and middle.
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Nonetheless, our analysis reveals that this is without doubt one of the least in style of all AI capabilities. We discovered that 64% of adults stated that they’d by no means use an AI assistant to handle and schedule duties and occasions (with 6% of these going so far as to say they'd cease utilizing a product with this functionality) 49% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials would by no means use AI for this. Proper now, this seems to be a transparent case of AI distributors telling customers what they need fairly than searching for areas the place customers would possibly truly worth AI.
Seeing the potential worth in AI assistants
Whereas the outcomes of this survey are hardly excellent news for any firm that’s all-in on AI assistant use proper now, adults usually are not utterly down on AI and AI assistants. Once we requested in the event that they noticed potential worth in AI gadget integrations, the outcomes had been undoubtedly extra optimistic for AI proponents.
In all AI use circumstances examined, a majority of adults discovered AI capabilities very or considerably worthwhile, and in Gen Z adults, over 6 in 10 discovered worth in all areas examined. Curiously, integrating AI assistants into picture modifying instruments, a functionality that was among the many lowest when requested if they’d use it, was one space the place customers noticed probably the most potential worth, with 58% discovering it very or considerably worthwhile.
This ties into the perception that amongst finish customers, frequency of use isn’t essentially linked to worth. US adults see an AI that sometimes helps with bettering pictures and media to be extra worthwhile than, for instance, an AI assistant designed to run your entire each day duties.
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Whereas only a 12 months in the past it may need appeared that generative AI and AI assistants can be rapid successes and keep away from basic hype cycles, we see that isn’t the case. Because the hype cycle for generative AI and AI assistants begins to pattern downward, we see a typical scenario the place a know-how's capabilities are overpromised, potential downfalls (akin to hallucinations and inaccuracies) are ignored, and what customers truly need isn’t taken under consideration.
However there’s promise on the horizon. If companies can decelerate sufficient to concentrate on the place AI supplies precise help and might keep away from indiscriminately pushing undesirable and unready capabilities at customers, there’s good potential for AI and AI assistants to keep away from the underside of the hype cycle and turn into a daily piece of on a regular basis work and private lives.
Methodology: All figures, except in any other case acknowledged, are from YouGov Plc. The entire pattern measurement was 2,354 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between March 6-10, 2025. The survey was carried out on-line. The figures have been weighted and are consultant of all US adults (aged 18+).