People don't trust AI. They do yearn for Lunchables: survey.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, a recent survey reveals a growing skepticism among consumers towards Artificial Intelligence. According to data from Morning Consult, released on Tuesday, AI brands are struggling to gain the trust of users, with 70% of major AI companies experiencing declines in their net trust scores. Leading the charge in trustworthiness is Google’s Gemini, which managed to improve its score by six points, achieving a net trust rating of 24. In stark contrast, nostalgic brands like Capri-Sun, Lunchables, Hot Wheels, and Mr. Pibb have seen a resurgence in consumer confidence, highlighting a yearning for simpler, childhood memories. Morning Consult notes that these brands resonate with a specific segment of American culture, evoking a time before the complexities of adult life took over. The report, which tracks the trust levels of nearly 600 brands dating back to 2018, indicates that overall trust in consumer brands is at an all-time high despite the tumultuous landscape of modern technology. Brands such as Dawn dish soap, Band-Aid, and Heinz ketchup are viewed as dependable, even if they lack excitement, having effectively removed surprises from the consumer relationship. Interestingly, the report also mentions a revival of interest in Gap, attributed to a nostalgia-driven resurgence of Y2K aesthetics, which reflects a longing for a less complicated era. This sentiment stands in stark contrast to the mixed feelings surrounding AI companies, which are evolving at breakneck speed and often valued at staggering financial levels. A detailed report from Morning Consult published earlier this year indicated that more than one-third of respondents expressed a complete lack of trust in AI technologies, a sentiment echoed by a similar percentage of individuals who hold a positive view of such innovations. Notably, companies such as Meta AI, Perplexity AI, and xAI have seen significant drops in their trust ratings since last year. Alarmingly, one in five survey participants agreed that the products of AI companies pose a genuine risk to humanity's future. As we move towards 2026, many consumers appear to be in a phase of seeking reliable brands that offer stability amidst an increasingly volatile environment, according to Morning Consult.