Rutgers researchers report that 72% of US adults have used at least one major AI tool. That is up from 50% in late 2024. Personal use rose to 68% and work use among employed adults to 44%. Nearly a third say their job requires it. Fewer than one in ten would let AI decide hiring, loans, admissions, parole or medical priority alone. Between 45% and 54% reject any AI role in those decisions. Support for assisting rather than deciding is higher, at 34% for hiring. Around three-quarters want employers, companies and schools to disclose AI evaluation. Confidence in AI flipped by party while the overall level held steady. Self-rated understanding rose, but respondents averaged 48% correct on twelve factual statements.

• 72% have used an AI tool, up from 50%
• 44% of employed adults use AI at work
• fewer than 10% accept unsupervised decisions
• 5,154 surveyed July 5-Aug 1, 2026