People Are Tired of AI Slop (And Here's the Data to Prove It)

Hi there!

I hope you started the year with great energy and intention, ready for what's ahead. It is going to be an interesting year of the AI era and I’m here for it ;))

I took a couple weeks off with my family to reset and now I'm back, with a very different energy compared to last year.

2025 was my year of experimentation - following my gut, saying yes and no to things, trying them out, pivoting when needed. Like starting a Youtube channel, launching my membership and finally saying good-bye to my “perfect-on-paper“ corporate job in AI strategy and ethics in a large corporation. Building that trust muscle to follow what felt right, even when it didn't make logical sense and let me tell you. This was not easy, but it FELT simple.

I guess, my biggest lesson of 2025 was that you can't plan your way to clarity. You have to act your way there, even when you have no fucking idea what you are doing.

This year, I'm doubling down on that. Which means saying no to things that don't align - even extremely lucrative opportunities. Like the AI consulting opportunity I turned down this week, which makes absolutely ZERO rational sense. But here we go, if my gut says no, it’s a no.

2026 is my year of knowing exactly who I am, what I am meant to build and how am I meant to serve. I have this inner quite feeling of what’s true to me that will shape what am I saying yes to, what am I saying no to, how am I showing up and what am I creating.

This state is a result of a whole year of taking tiny steps and actions and treating the inner work and personal growth like my life and business depends on it (because it totally does).

I am so grateful for 2025 and cannot wait for 2026 to unfold.

the bittersweet feeling of being right

Last newsletter, I shared my predictions for 2026 - my observations, the patterns I've been noticing in the AI and online space, my own personal reflections.

Is there a better feeling to get a report dropped that confirmed everything I suspected specifically about my prediction about AI eroding consumer trust if overused. Plus some.

I want to share some thoughts with you because this is going to shape how I work with AI, how I teach others to work with AI, how I create tools and provide value around AI going forward.

TLDR; Customers are not happy. And customers are not stupid.

People are seeing through the generic AI slop. They're noticing it everywhere - in emails, ads, customer service - and they're not buying it.

Yet the majority of people using AI are still operating at this basic level.

give me some data, please and thank you;)

HubSpot and SurveyMonkey just released a massive study surveying over 1,800 business leaders and 15,000 consumers across seven countries.

Here's what I am taking note of (and you should too):

customers are seeing right through

70% of consumers say they've noticed AI being used in marketing emails, advertising, and customer service.

But only about 1 in 4 say they like or love it. Nearly half say they dislike or hate it, depending on the context.

Customer service is a particular pain point. A full 82% of consumers say they prefer human support - even when the outcome and wait time are exactly the same. (which is so interesting and counter intuitive for companies to comprehend. The other day I’ve heard Skool CEO talking about that their support is human-only and mind you it’s a company that has grew to 26.6 mln in revenue in 2025 with 242 person team )

What this actually means: Visibility doesn't equal acceptance. People can spot AI easily and they're not impressed. If your AI interactions are coming directly from ChatGPT, feel cold, generic, or thought leadership-y aka building an authority persona, you're actively damaging trust. The bar isn't "is this faster? let’s go" - but “how can we unlock more of what’s human in our brand“?

AI search - but make it legit

Over half (56%) of consumers regularly read AI-generated search summaries, and 70% agree these summaries make it easier to find information.

But here's the disconnect: only 30% say they trust AI-generated search results a lot or completely.

50% say they usually verify the answers they get. 17% assume those answers are inaccurate by default.

What this actually means: People will use AI search because it's fast, but they're fact-checking everything. If your brand shows up in AI search results but your content is shallow or generic, people will click away the second they verify. Quality and depth matter more than ever.

transparency - yes please!

84% of consumers believe companies they buy from are using their data to train AI.

84% say disclosure is important—with 60% saying it's very important.

78% report concern about data security when companies use AI.

And get this: 

Like what???

Just kidding, I am not surprised at all, cause I’ve been saying it all along.

What this actually means: People assume you're using AI. They're not shocked by it. What they care about HOW you are using it and whether you're hiding it. If you're transparent about how and why you use AI, you build trust. If you try to sneak it past them, you lose customers. It's that simple.

what it means for how we build

Here's what we can take away from this - and what I'm building around in 2026:

1. Generic AI content is already dead.

If you're pumping out mass-produced, soulless AI content, people can tell. And they don't want it. The report shows that people are noticing AI everywhere, but they're not impressed. In fact, they're turned off.

So you need to master AI tools and learn how to use AI to amplify your voice, to help you unlock your story, increase the value you give, to upgrade you and how you serve your peopl.

2. Authenticity isn't optional anymore

In a world where everyone has access to the same AI tools, your unique perspective, your voice, your genuine insights - that's what can't be replicated.

AI can help you create faster, think bigger, and reach more people. But it can't give you a point of view. That's on you.

3. Customers want human connection, even when AI is involved.

82% prefer talking to a human for customer support, even when AI could do it just as fast. That tells you everything.

People don't want to feel like they're interacting with a machine. They want to feel seen, heard, understood.

If you're using AI in your business, you need to think carefully about where it makes sense and where it undermines trust.

4. Transparency builds trust.

If you're using AI, say so. If you're not, say that too. People want to know. They're not afraid of AI being used, what they are afraid of is being deceived or manipulated.

The brands who are crushing are either the ones that take clear stands on AI use and refuse it, or the ones being upfront about how they use AI, what they use it for, and what they don't use it for.

discernment, skills and human-first always

I hate to say I told you so, but honestly it’s not a rocket science - I've been saying this for months: the next phase of AI isn't about doing more - it's about doing better and being clear on what stays human and what gets delegated to AI.

For example, I'm not interested in creating more content faster. I'm interested in creating content that actually resonates, that reflects my real thinking, that helps people cut through the noise.

I'm not interested in building generic AI tools. I'm interested in building specialized AI assistants that solve real, specific problems for solopreneurs and amplify what they're already great at.

I'm not interested in optimizing for the algorithm. I'm interested in building trust with the people who actually care about what I'm creating.

I’m not interested in pumping out digital products created entirely with AI. I am interested in creating a space for people to connect and learn how to use AI authentically and build income streams that create real value and feel aligned.

So I encourage you to take this opportunity and reflect:

Are you using AI in a way that feels authentic to you? Or are you using it for certain things because everyone says you should?

Are you showing up in a way that builds trust? Or are you automating yourself out of your own voice?

I'd love to hear where you are and what you're thinking about as we move into this new year.

Until next week,

Your AI Solopreneur Bestie,
Elena

🚀 If you want to learn how to use AI tools for your business in a way that actually feels authentic, without losing your voice or compromising your values - come join us in the AI Solopreneur Club.