The Rise of Fin-AI: Why Americans Are Trusting Generative AI With Their Wallets

• 66% of Americans surveyed who have used GenAI before say they use it to seek financial advice, rising to 82% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennials.
• 80% of respondents who acted on financial advice from an AI tool say it improved their financial situation.
• 75% of those who use GenAI say that GenAI allows them to ask the financial questions they're too embarrassed to ask others.

Generative AI has quickly become a go-to resource for consumers, from trip planning and meal prepping to dating advice and even money management. Providing users instant access to personalized insights on spending habits, budgeting tips and even investment strategy, GenAI tools like ChatGPT are taking the role of financial advisor for many. While it's a simpler, more accessible alternative to working with a finance professional - no appointments, no jargon, and no fear of being judged for asking basic (or deeply personal) money questions - is it actually helping American's finances?

According to new data from Intuit Credit Karma, 66% of Americans surveyed who have used GenAI before say they have used it to seek financial advice, rising to 82% of Gen Z and Millennials. In fact, finance ranks as the second most common use case for GenAI (41%), just behind health and wellness (44%). And it's not just the occasional one-off question. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of GenAI users say they seek financial guidance from AI often, while three in four (75%) say they feel it lets them ask the financial questions they'd be too embarrassed to ask anyone else.

GenAI's most-asked money questions

Those turning to GenAI for financial guidance use it for everything from help with the fundamentals to more complex topics, such as tax filing and investing. Among respondents using GenAI to seek financial advice, the most common topics include financial education and basic personal finance concepts (35%), financial goal setting and action plans (35%), budgeting and expense management (34%), optimizing savings (33%), and investing in the stock market (32%). AI is proving it can answer a wide range of financial questions consumers face on a daily basis, making it a natural place to turn for financial advice.

The results: More confidence, but not without risk

Americans are putting AI-generated financial recommendations into practice, making it clear trust in these tools is growing. In fact, 85% of respondents who have used GenAI for financial advice have acted on the recommendations provided. Among them, 80% say their financial situation has improved thanks to GenAI, and 81% feel more confident managing their finances because of GenAI. Furthermore, when it comes to consumer sentiment around GenAI in general, 79% of users find the information generated to be accurate and 71% consider it helpful.

But it's not all without risk. Of those who have acted on financial advice they received from GenAI, 52% say they have made a poor financial decision or mistake based on the information they received.

Many GenAI users are treating it as a starting point when it comes to decision making, as 80% of those who have acted on financial advice they received from GenAI say they still research and validate the advice before taking action.

Why some prefer GenAI for money matters

Even with the rapid rise of GenAI as a helpful resource for almost anything, Americans still turn to a mix of online platforms and tools for financial guidance. Among the 51% of Americans who seek financial advice or information online, 27% consider social media the most useful source, followed by Google or other search engines (20%), with GenAI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini close behind (18%). This could be because 51% say their top concern about using GenAI for financial advice/information is security and privacy.

However, many consumers still see clear advantages in GenAI. Of those who have used GenAI for financial advice, nearly half (48%) say it's faster and more direct than social media, 45% say it explains financial concepts more clearly or in simpler terms, and 44% believe it delivers more personalized advice based on the individual's specific situation.

"GenAI 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."

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma on August 7, 2025, to August 14, 2025, among 1,019 adults ages 18 and older.