A new US study conducted by Express Legal Funding, in collaboration with SurveyMonkey, reveals that 34% of Americans trust ChatGPT more than human experts in at least one area—but that trust has limits. While enthusiasm for generative AI continues to surge, most people remain hesitant to rely on tools like ChatGPT for high-stakes legal or medical decisions, according to an Express Legal Funding statement.
The ChatGPT Trust Survey, released Monday, reflects a shifting digital landscape where AI’s influence in daily life is growing rapidly. According to the findings, 60% of U.S. adults have used ChatGPT to seek advice or information, and among those users, 70% found the guidance helpful.
Respondents expressed the most trust in ChatGPT for career advice, educational support, and product recommendations. However, legal and medical advice remained at the bottom of the trust spectrum.
Despite the growing reliance on AI tools, only 11.1% of participants believed that ChatGPT would improve their personal financial situation. Notably, younger adults aged 18 to 29, as well as Android and iPhone users, demonstrated significantly higher trust in ChatGPT compared to older adults and desktop users. High-income earners and seniors were among the most skeptical of AI’s role in society.
Only 14.1% of respondents strongly agreed that ChatGPT will ultimately benefit humanity, underscoring the divide between those who see promise in AI and those who fear its potential misuse.
“This study highlights how many Americans are navigating the fast-growing influence of generative AI and natural language processing agents in their daily lives,” said Dr. Aaron Winston, Strategy Director at Express Legal Funding and lead author of the report. “While people are open to using ChatGPT for advice—and over a third trust it more than human experts in some cases—there’s still a strong preference for real-world professionals when it comes to legal, financial, or health matters.”
As tools like ChatGPT become increasingly embedded in consumer behavior, researchers say understanding where Americans draw the line between digital curiosity and genuine trust is essential.
Express Legal Funding, a Plano-based pre-settlement funding firm, is known for its consumer advocacy work and ethical funding practices. Beyond providing financial support to plaintiffs awaiting legal resolution, the firm actively contributes to the national conversation on legal tech and finance through data-driven research and thought leadership.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
