#United States #Los Angeles #AI Shopping #Consumer Trust #Product.ai

Insights on AI-Powered Shopping Behavior

As the holiday season approaches, the adoption of AI assistants in the shopping arena is gaining traction among consumers. A recent study by Product.ai reveals that a significant percentage of shoppers are relying on artificial intelligence to streamline their shopping experiences, albeit with a cautious approach.

The findings from the October 2026 edition of the "Trust in AI Commerce Report" highlight that 71.5% of respondents, part of a survey of 550 AI shoppers, plan to utilize AI assistants for their holiday shopping. However, an intriguing aspect of this study is that 37.5% of those surveyed expressed their reluctance to allow an AI agent to make purchases on their behalf without prior consultation.

Increased Verification Before Purchases

One notable trend showcased in the report is that nearly 90% of U.S. online shoppers who consult an AI assistant for product recommendations tend to cross-verify these suggestions through other sources before committing to a purchase. This marks a slight increase from 85.7% observed in the previous June 2026 survey edition.

The survey also indicates that only 21.6% of participants have allowed an AI assistant to handle the entire purchasing process. This cautious attitude reflects a desire for assurance and confidence as consumers navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Popular AI Assistants Among Shoppers

Among the AI tools used, Google Gemini and ChatGPT emerged as the frontrunners. Specifically, 63.5% of surveyed shoppers utilized Gemini for product research within the past three months, while 60% turned to ChatGPT. Other assistants like Amazon’s shopping helper, Walmart’s AI, and Microsoft Copilot followed behind, each holding a smaller user base.

Interestingly, when it comes to trustworthiness, Gemini and ChatGPT were recognized as the most reliable AI assistants for shopping, with 43.5% and 42.2% trust ratings respectively. In contrast, AI assistants like Perplexity and Claude gathered less trust from users, with 35.2% and 31.3% indicating their reliability.

Evaluating AI Trustworthiness

The report illustrates a striking decline in the number of AI shoppers who act on recommendations without verifying them; only 10.1% proceeded directly to purchase based on AI suggestions. This reflects a significant shift in consumer behavior, illustrating a growing demand for verification and accuracy.

In scenarios where shoppers identified errors in AI recommendations, about 60% opted to modify their purchase plans—demonstrating an awareness of AI's potential errors and reinforcing the need for human oversight.

Half of the AI shoppers noted a decrease in trust following undisclosed paid recommendations, highlighting the importance of transparency in AI-driven advice.

Preferences for AI Shopping Engagement

When respondents were questioned about the level of input they desire from AI assistants, a common preference emerged: a desire for AI to consult them before making any purchasing decisions. The majority preferred scenarios where the AI would only act if specifically asked, with 37.5% stating they wouldn’t allow any expenditure without prior discussion.

Additionally, 43.1% of those surveyed indicated they would not provide AI agents access to their payment information without explicit permission.

Conclusion

With the holiday shopping season on the horizon, the data suggests that while shoppers are increasingly open to utilizing AI for research, they remain cautious about delegating purchasing decisions fully to machines. The growing reliance on AI in commerce presents an opportunity for platforms like Product.ai to enhance consumer trust through verified suggestions and transparent practices.

The full report is available at Product.ai, providing detailed insights and methodology behind the findings.

About Product.ai

Product.ai, formerly known as Demand.io, serves as a significant verification layer in the commerce sector. By employing a unique verification methodology, the company enables shoppers to recognize which products to consider or dismiss, thereby optimizing their purchase decisions and minimizing unnecessary expenditure.