Parks Associates Study Finds 72% of US Households Concerned About AI Data Security

Parks Associates announced in a press release that 72% of US internet households are concerned about data security and privacy in artificial intelligence, based on its Connected Consumer Privacy and Security in the AI Era study. The research surveyed 8,000 households and found that while 58% now use generative AI tools, trust in AI systems remains low, with 71% doubting society's ability to use AI responsibly.

The study also indicates that consumer attitudes are affecting purchasing behavior. Thirty percent of respondents said that marketing emphasizing AI reduces their likelihood to buy a product, up from 24% in 2024. Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates, said that AI adoption continues to grow but consumer trust has not kept pace.

The findings will be discussed at the 30th annual CONNECTIONS conference, taking place May 5 to 7, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara in California. The keynote panel, titled "AI Driven Growth: Solving the Smart Home Experience Gap," will be moderated by Jennifer Kent, Senior Vice President and Principal Analyst at Parks Associates. Speakers include Olivier Bernard of Amazon Web Services, Gilles Drieu of ADT, Peter Levinson of Arity, and Todd Mozer of Sensory, Inc.

Additional sessions will cover best practices and performance indicators for AI enabled smart home products, with contributions from executives across the IoT and smart home sectors. The conference will gather industry leaders to examine how AI can improve reliability, engagement, and data transparency in connected home technologies.