Americans Still Prefer Human Financial Advisors Over AI for Major Money Decisions
When the Gallup poll was released in August 2026, its headline was unmistakable: most Americans still trust a human financial adviser more than a computer algorithm when it comes to major money decisions. The survey, conducted from March 20 to April 6 among 5,075 adults ages 21 and older, asked participants how much confidence they have in different sources of financial guidance.
Only 3% of respondents said they have "a great deal" of confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) to help manage their money. About a third—30%—expressed either "a great deal" or "some" confidence in AI, but the overwhelming majority still rely on traditional advisers. In comparison, 80% of adults say they have at least some confidence in a human financial adviser, and roughly a quarter of those who sought advice actually consulted an adviser.
The poll also revealed how people actually seek advice. A sizable 73% of adults who looked for financial guidance in the past year turned to their own online research. Family and friends accounted for 35% of sources, while 26% consulted news or social media. Significantly, only 7% of those who sought advice used a professional adviser, with usage climbing to 55% among baby boomers.
Generation plays a major role. Roughly a quarter of Gen‑Z and millennial respondents who sought advice used AI tools, compared with just 16% of Gen Xers and only 7% of baby boomers. The professional‑adviser numbers run in the opposite direction: 55% of baby boomers relied on a human adviser, versus just 14% of Gen‑Z.
Cost appears to be a key factor. Online research, family input, and AI tools are essentially free, whereas hiring an adviser incurs fees. As a result, many people turn to AI for preliminary information before deciding whether to engage a professional.
Experts caution against treating AI as a final authority. MIT Sloan associate professor Taha Choukhmane recommends using AI as a starting point—perhaps to define terms like "mutual fund" or to generate a list of sources—while still consulting a qualified adviser for personalized advice. He also suggests asking AI to provide references so users can verify the information.
Certified financial planner Bobbi Rebell points out a legal distinction: professional advisers are fiduciaries, legally obligated to act in their clients' best interests. "There's no AI that is a fiduciary," she says, noting that AI cannot ask the detailed personal questions needed to craft a tailored plan. Ultimately, the responsibility for decisions—and any resulting losses—rests with the individual.
Despite the low confidence in AI, the poll shows that one‑in‑five Americans who sought financial advice in the past year used an AI tool such as ChatGPT or Claude. This suggests a growing, if cautious, willingness to incorporate technology into personal finance.
For now, the data make it clear that while AI has a place in the discovery phase, most Americans continue to place their trust in human advisers for major financial decisions.
