US consumer spending habits continue to follow typical seasonal patterns, but AI’s broad reach is shifting how shoppers make decisions. Sixty-eight percent of US consumers report using at least one AI tool in the past three months, according to a recent McKinsey ConsumerWise survey. Among respondents who use at least one AI tool, the greatest share (38 percent) say they use it to research and understand general topics, McKinsey’s Christina Adams, Kari Alldredge, and Tom Kilroy note. Consumers also rely on AI for tasks such as content creation, financial advice, and health management, suggesting that AI tools are becoming integrated into multiple areas.
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A bar chart shows AI usage data from the past 3 months. At the top, 68% of respondents reported using at least 1 AI tool. The chart breaks down AI use by task, showing the percentage of respondents indicating their usage: research and understand general topics: 38%; write and improve content, 22%; discover and/or decide on brands, products, or services, 19%; research and/or get financial advice, 17%; and three tasks tied at 16%: access real-time or trending information, create visuals and creative assets, and plan and organize tasks. Managing health and wellness accounts for 15%, while planning a trip or special occasion is the lowest at 12%.
Note: This image description was completed with the assistance of Writer, a gen AI tool.
Source: McKinsey ConsumerWise Global Sentiment Survey, February 2026, with 4,008 respondents.
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