October 4, 2026, 11:07 am | Read time: 2 minutes
AI usage is steadily increasing–AI chatbots are being used more frequently for personal conversations. This is shown by a recent study. According to the study, 68 percent of surveyed users have already discussed sensitive topics with an AI. The topics often include mental health, but also finances, relationships, family conflicts, or work-related issues.
Reasons for the Increasing AI Usage
An interesting contradiction emerges. Many people use ChatGPT, Copilot, or Claude as conversation partners, but have limited trust in the companies behind these services. Forty point five percent of respondents say they have little or no confidence in the protection of sensitive data by AI providers.
The main reason for usage, according to the study, is not trust but availability. Chatbots are accessible around the clock, respond immediately, and do not judge. This is perceived as an advantage, especially with stressful or uncomfortable topics.
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Data protection reveals a surprising priority. Fifty-one percent are concerned that their conversations could be used for advertising or marketing profiles. Only 43 percent fear that their inputs will be used for training AI models.
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Data Protection as a Success Factor
The study results suggest that better data protection concepts could further increase acceptance. Forty-four percent would entrust even more sensitive information to an AI if the protection of personal data were guaranteed. Seventy-one percent prefer a chatbot specifically designed for privacy.
The survey was commissioned by the Swiss company Proton, although the client was not disclosed. A total of 4,014 AI chatbot users from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States were surveyed.