AI was supposed to be a productivity tool; something for drafting emails, summarizing documents, and automating repetitive tasks. But new research from Machined.ai tells a very different story. Americans are now using AI to manage stress, navigate breakups, and make decisions that shape the direction of their lives.
And nearly half of them don’t want anyone to know about it.
AI Is the First Place Many Americans Turn for Help
The survey of 2,000 AI users of all levels of proficiency found that chatbots have become a default starting point when problems arise. Thirty-one percent of respondents said AI is very often the first place they turn, while 58% said this is sometimes the case. Only about one in ten said they rarely or never start with AI.
And they’re asking questions that go way deeper than you’d think. Eighty-three percent said there are situations where they prefer asking AI over asking another person. Whether the question is practical, personal, or professional, AI is increasingly the first voice in the room, before a friend, a coworker, or even a trusty Google search.
These findings correspond with broader data from a Pew Research Center poll published in March 2026, which found 31% of Americans now interact with AI at least several times a day.
From Skill-Building to Stress Relief, AI Touches Everything
But the range of use cases extends to virtually all facets of life. Roughly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said they have used AI to learn a new skill. Whether it’s picking up a programming language, understanding a financial concept, or studying for a certification, AI has become a bespoke teacher for millions of Americans, potentially opening doors to those in underserved areas.
According to Machined.ai’s reporting, chatbots have also become an emotional resource. Nearly half (47%) said they have turned to AI when they felt stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. And the benefits appear to be tangible: sixty-six percent said using AI has made them more confident in handling everyday problems.
When asked how AI affects them overall, 36% said it makes them feel more supported, and 24% said it makes them more independent, compared to 14% who say AI has made them more dependent.
Relationships Are Now Part of the Conversation
For better or worse, some of the survey’s most sensational data involves personal relationships. Nearly half (49%) said they have asked AI how to respond to a situation with a partner or someone they are dating. And one in three said they have asked AI whether to continue or end a relationship.
When overthinking a social or personal situation, 53% turned to AI for reassurance. And 14% said they have used AI as a substitute for a romantic companion.
These findings sit against a complicated backdrop. Another Pew Research Center survey, this time from 2025, found that half of Americans believe AI will worsen people’s ability to form meaningful relationships, compared to just 5% who think it will improve them. Yet the behavioral data suggests many Americans are already doing the thing they say they’re worried about.
Nearly Half of Users Keep Their AI Habits a Secret
Perhaps the most revealing thread in the data is the secrecy. Forty-six percent of respondents said they have downplayed or hidden how much they use AI from friends or family.
Among those who hide their usage, 46% said they worried about appearing incapable, 41% feared being judged, and 34% didn’t want to seem lazy. Another 33% said their AI use felt personal or private, and 29% said the people around them wouldn’t understand.
What we’re left with is a huge population leading a sort of double life. Millions of Americans are leaning on AI for decisions ranging from career moves to breakups, but presenting those decisions to the outside world as entirely their own.
The Trust Paradox: Heavy Use, Real Worry
But these heavy users aren’t without concerns of their own. Sixty-three percent of respondents said they trust AI-generated information or advice at least a fair amount. But that trust doesn’t eliminate anxiety.
Two-thirds (67%) expressed at least some concern about how much they expect to rely on AI in the future, with 23% reporting major concerns. People are using AI more than ever while simultaneously worrying they’re using it too much.
The American Psychological Association has documented this growing entanglement, noting that the number of AI companion apps surged by 700% between 2022 and mid-2025. Researchers have found that people can develop genuine attachment to chatbots when they perceive them as offering emotional support, particularly during periods of distress or isolation.
A Generational Split in How AI Gets Used
Unsurprisingly, Gen Z adults reported the highest frequency, with 41% using AI multiple times per day and just 8% describing their use as infrequent. Among millennials, 35% reported multiple daily interactions. Usage drops among Gen X and baby boomers, though daily use persists across all age groups.
Younger users also appear more willing to bring AI into personal territory. A separate Marriage.com survey found that 44% of married Americans had used AI for relationship advice, with usage reaching nearly 65% among millennials.
What Comes Next
Most respondents expect their reliance to grow. Twenty-nine percent said they anticipate depending on AI much more in the future, and 38% said somewhat more. Only 7% expected to pull back.
The survey paints a picture of a population that has quietly reorganized daily life around AI — for learning, for emotional support, for relationships, for decisions large and small. The tools have moved far beyond the office. Whether that shift ultimately builds confidence or erodes the instinct to figure things out on our own is a question the data can’t yet answer. But for now, one thing is clear: Americans are relying on AI for far more than they’re willing to admit.
The Bottom Line
AI has moved well beyond the workplace. Americans are freely using it to manage stress, navigate relationships, build new skills, and make decisions they once reserved for trusted friends or professionals.
This shift is accelerating, and it’s not letting up. Two-thirds of respondents expect to rely on AI even more in the years ahead. But with that reliance comes a responsibility to recognize what AI can and can’t do. It can help you organize your thoughts before a difficult conversation. It can’t tell you whether your relationship is worth saving.
For decisions that carry real emotional or financial weight, AI works best as one input among several, not the only voice in the room.
