Consumers are increasingly integrating AI into daily decision-making and are already allowing AI systems to act on their behalf. The 2026 “EY Global AI Sentiment Survey” reveals that while public debate around artificial intelligence (AI) continues to focus on trust and risk, real-world behavior tells a different story. In the past six months alone, more than eight in 10 respondents used AI, and 16 percent globally reported using AI systems that act without human intervention.Nine percent of respondents said they have used self-driving vehicles or autonomous taxis, while 10 percent have used AI agents to purchase products on their behalf. Meanwhile, 11 percent allow AI to automatically refill shopping carts or manage banking tasks. Even among those who have not yet used autonomous AI, openness is high. More than one-third of respondents say they would prefer AI to automatically apply discounts at checkout or resolve customer service issues without their involvement.Two-thirds of respondents worry about AI systems being hacked or breached, while almost seven in 10 say human oversight remains essential. Nearly three-quarters fear they will no longer be able to tell what is real or AI-generated.