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Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday life. From writing emails to answering questions and helping with work tasks, more people are using AI than ever before. But even as adoption grows, so does something else: fatigue.

A new survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Talker Research, suggests that while AI is widely used, many people are starting to feel overwhelmed by how present it’s become. In fact, 69% of Americans say they use AI to some degree, with 16% using it daily and another 21% using it a few times per week.

At the same time, 54% say they’re getting tired of hearing about it.

woman on laptop — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

AI Feels Like It’s Everywhere

Part of that fatigue stems from how unavoidable AI now feels. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said AI is “everywhere” and nearly impossible to escape. Another 29% said it’s constantly being pushed on them, whether through work tools, social media platforms, or everyday apps.

It’s not just that people are choosing to use AI; it’s that they feel surrounded by it. And for some, that constant exposure is starting to wear thin.

People Still See the Benefits

Despite the growing sense of burnout, opinions on AI aren’t entirely negative. The survey found that 40% of Americans still view AI positively, compared to 30% who see it negatively and another 30% who feel neutral.

That split highlights an interesting tension: people recognize the value of AI, but they’re also feeling the strain of its rapid growth and constant presence.

It Hasn’t Fully Lived Up to Expectations

Another reason for the mixed feelings may be that AI hasn’t quite lived up to the hype for everyone. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said AI has only partially lived up to what they were told it could do.

While 30% said it has met their expectations, others remain unsure. About 17% believe it could live up to its potential in the near future, while a small group, just 6%, don’t think it ever will.

In other words, people aren’t rejecting AI; they’re just not entirely convinced by it yet.

The Burnout Factor

The idea of “AI fatigue” isn’t just showing up in surveys; it’s also being discussed more broadly in the workplace. A 2025 Forbes report notes that many workers are hitting an AI-driven wall, caused by a mix of pressure to use new tools, the complexity of the technology, and the mental load that comes with it.

That helps explain why something designed to make life easier can still feel exhausting.

Siddhant Khare, who works on AI infrastructure, describes it as a kind of paradox. AI speeds up tasks, but it also removes the natural pauses that come with doing the work manually. Instead of getting a break between steps, people are now expected to keep moving from one task to the next without stopping.

His advice is simple: don’t fill every bit of time AI saves with more work. Without those built-in breaks, it’s easy to burn out.

Some People Are Thinking About Escaping It Altogether

With both usage and fatigue on the rise, some people are even starting to think about what it would take to fully step away from AI.

About 41% of respondents said they believe they could find a way to escape it, but their ideas highlight just how difficult that would be in reality.

Some imagined completely unplugging from technology altogether, avoiding phones, the internet, and even unknown calls. Others described more extreme scenarios, like moving off-grid or retreating to a remote cabin to disconnect. One respondent summed it up more bluntly: “Destroy my phone.”

While those ideas may not be realistic for most people, they reflect a growing desire for boundaries in a world where AI feels increasingly unavoidable.

The Bottom Line

AI isn’t going anywhere, and most people aren’t trying to avoid it completely. In fact, the majority are already using it in some form. But this survey makes one thing clear: adoption doesn’t always mean enthusiasm.

People are using AI because it’s useful, convenient, and often necessary. At the same time, they’re feeling overwhelmed by how quickly it’s expanding and how hard it is to step away.

And for many, that combination is starting to feel like a lot.