Public Trust and AI Concerns Rose in 2026 Survey
As customers grow wary of AI-driven ads, businesses must weigh digital adoption against public sentiment.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Marketing
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The Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Survey, conducted from May 4 to 11, 2026, revealed that public trust in business remains challenged by perceptions of pricing and the rapid introduction of artificial intelligence in marketing. While 61% of the 3,270 US adults surveyed view business impact as positive, consumer skepticism toward corporate AI usage has intensified.
Why it matters
Business operators face a growing perception gap where 80% of consumers believe firms hiked prices beyond necessary levels to boost profits. This skepticism now extends to advertising, as nearly half of consumers react negatively to AI-generated marketing content, forcing firms to re-evaluate how they integrate automation into public-facing campaigns.
Among the 3,270 US adults surveyed with a margin of error of ±2.4 percentage points, 79% reported seeing AI-appearing advertisements in the past 30 days. These figures arrive as 89% of respondents report that prices have increased over the last 12 months.
The players
Bentley-Gallup
A research collaboration between Bentley University and Gallup that tracks public perception of institutional integrity and societal impact.
The details
The survey indicates a significant friction point between internal operational efficiency and external brand perception. While businesses increasingly leverage AI to optimize marketing spend, 39% of the public believes this technology currently does more harm than good. Operators must balance the technical cost-savings of AI-generated assets against a notable consumer base that finds such marketing tactics inherently off-putting.
Timeline
2022: Trust in business hit a low of 55 percent.
2025: Sixty-five percent of respondents viewed businesses as having a positive impact.
May 4-11, 2026: The Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Survey was conducted.
Past 12 months: 89 percent of respondents observed price increases.
Past 30 days: 79 percent of respondents saw advertisements appearing to be created with AI.
Market Landscape
The 2026 data reflects a complex shift in public sentiment since the 2022 business trust low of 55 percent. The current environment shows that while overall positive impact ratings have improved, the rapid adoption of new advertising technologies is creating a distinct challenge for brand equity.
Operators should monitor the correlation between AI-generated ad spend and customer acquisition costs, as nearly half of the public now views such content negatively. Focus on maintaining transparency in digital campaigns to avoid triggering the skepticism that currently affects 80% of consumers regarding corporate pricing and profits.
The takeaway
The gap between business efficiency gains and consumer perception remains a critical metric for leadership teams to monitor. Use this data as a signal to audit your current marketing mix for AI reliance and prioritize human-led creative where consumer brand connection is paramount.
Further reading
For more on managing brand consistency in a changing digital environment, visit the Marketing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radio Ink.
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