More and more Americans are asking AI chatbots for help with their money. But a new survey shows most people still don't fully trust what AI tells them. That gap matters, because the wrong financial move can cost real money.

Quick Take

• A New York Life survey finds 45% of Americans trust AI "somewhat" or more for financial help, but only 24% feel comfortable acting on its advice.
• The top money question Americans ask AI is about budgeting and saving (42%).
• Investing basics come in second (39%), followed by general financial education (31%).
• Experts say AI is good for learning terms and basic math, but bad at personal financial advice.
• Most people who use AI for money questions double-check the answer somewhere else first.

Why Americans Use AI for Money Help

AI tools are easy to reach and free to use. That is why so many people now ask them about budgets, bills, and investments instead of — or before — talking to a real person.

But trust has not caught up with use. Just 24% of Americans say they feel truly comfortable with AI's financial advice, even though 45% trust it at least "somewhat."

"AI is a strong starting point for learning, but 3 in 4 Americans (75%) still say it's important for a human to be involved in their most important financial decisions." — Sean Madgett, vice president at New York Life

That split sums up the whole trend. People like asking AI questions. They just don't want AI making the final call.

Budgeting and Saving Top the List

The number one money topic people bring to AI is budgeting and saving. 42% of AI financial-question-askers put this at the top.

Sean Madgett, a vice president at New York Life, says AI is handy for the "mechanical parts" of budgeting. That means things like sorting expenses, doing the math, and explaining money terms in plain words.

But a budget is more than numbers in boxes. It also means weighing trade-offs — paying off debt versus saving, covering surprise costs versus long-term goals. AI usually can't see that whole picture.

"A budget built without that full context is just a template, and it may miss the trade-offs that matter most in someone's financial life." — Sean Madgett

Investing Basics: A Good Starting Point, Not a Final Answer

The second most common question category is investing basics, at 39%. People use AI to decode confusing investing jargon (fancy industry words) and get comfortable with the topic.

Madgett calls this a "low-stakes way to build familiarity." It's a fine first step. The problem comes if someone treats AI's answer as full financial advice.

Good investing decisions depend on a person's goals, how much risk they can handle, their timeline, and their tax situation. AI doesn't automatically know any of that about you. It can also give outdated or wrong facts while sounding completely sure of itself.

Financial Education: Learning, Then Checking the Work

About 31% of people who ask AI money questions use it simply to learn — building general financial knowledge rather than solving one specific problem.

Madgett notes that 44% of Americans now use AI tools at least once a week. That regular use, he says, can turn casual curiosity into real financial literacy over time.

Still, most people aren't taking AI's word at face value. Among those who got financial guidance from AI, 54% searched the internet to check it, 31% asked a friend or family member, and 29% checked a second AI tool.

What's Next

AI is becoming a first stop for money questions, not a replacement for real financial planning. The smartest move is to use it to learn the basics, then bring those questions to a human expert — or at least double-check the answer — before making any big financial decision.

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