Sixty-six percent of Americans who have used generative AI tools have sought financial advice from them, according to a new Intuit Credit Karma survey released this week. That number climbs to 82% for Gen Z and Millennials, underscoring how quickly younger consumers are embedding AI into their personal finance habits.
The survey, which polled a representative sample of U.S. adults, found that finance is the second most-used gen AI category (41%), right behind health and wellness (44%). Among those using AI for money guidance, 65% do so often, and three-quarters say it lets them ask money questions they'd be embarrassed to raise elsewhere. Users aren't just browsing-85% have acted on AI-generated financial recommendations.
What gen AI users are asking about money
The topics span from basic literacy to complex decisions. Among respondents who turn to gen AI for financial advice, the most common areas include:
- Financial education and core personal finance concepts (35%)
- Financial goal setting and action plans (35%)
- Budgeting and expense management (34%)
- Optimizing savings (33%)
- Saving for retirement (31%)
- Investing in the stock market (32%)
These figures suggest that gen AI is handling a broad set of real-world money questions, making it a natural alternative to traditional financial guidance channels.
Confidence grows, but mistakes happen
Eighty percent of those who followed AI advice say their financial situation improved, and 81% feel more confident managing money because of it. Overall, 79% of gen AI users consider the information accurate. Yet the data also reveals a risk: 52% of respondents who acted on AI advice have made a poor financial decision or mistake based on that advice.
Most users treat AI as a starting point, not a gospel. Eighty percent of those who acted on AI-generated financial guidance continue to research and validate the advice before following through. This dual behavior-acting but also fact-checking-shows that trust is conditional.
Why gen AI beats social media for financial advice
When Americans look for financial guidance online, social media still leads with 27% calling it the most useful source, followed by search engines at 20% and gen AI tools like ChatGPT at 18%. Security and privacy concerns remain a top barrier for 51% of people. But among those who've used gen AI for money questions, the tool holds clear advantages over other platforms. Nearly half (48%) say it's faster and more direct than social media, 45% say it explains concepts in simpler terms, and 44% feel it delivers more personalized advice based on their specific situation.
"Gen AI is a powerful tool for learning, planning, and managing your money in more personalized ways," said Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma. "It can do more than just explain concepts, it can help consumers take action based on their unique financial goals and current situation. While these tools put smart insights at your fingertips, it's also important to understand your options and how they fit into your bigger financial picture. Finances are nuanced and deeply personal, so if you're ever unsure, it never hurts to get a second opinion."
Why this matters for finance professionals
The rapid adoption of generative AI for money management resets client expectations. When 80% of users report improved finances after following AI advice, traditional advisors must demonstrate where human judgment adds value-especially in correcting errors that 52% of users have already encountered. Professionals who stay fluent in these tools, including through AI for Finance courses, can better spot misinformation and coach clients on integrating AI insights safely. In a world where consumers can ask an AI avatar anything from budgeting to retirement planning, the advisor's role shifts from gatekeeper of information to interpreter of context.
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