BCG research shows consumer trust in AI set to rise 15 percentage points by 2030, driven by AI-assisted brand discovery and tripled usage in purchase journeys
Executive summary: BCG published research indicating that consumer trust in AI is on track to grow by 15 percentage points by 2030, with AI-assisted journeys introducing consumers to new brands in over half of cases and AI usage in purchase journeys roughly tripling since early 2025. The findings signal a growing role for AI in shaping consumer behavior and brand discovery, creating opportunities for businesses to invest in AI‑powered retail experiences while raising expectations for transparency and value delivery.
Who is involved: Boston Consulting Group (BCG), global consumers, brands integrating AI into shopping journeys, and AI technology providers.
Likely next: Continued expansion of AI‑enabled customer experience tools, potential regulatory focus on AI transparency as trust grows, and retailers launching AI‑driven brand discovery pilots ahead of the 2030 trust target.
The Boston Consulting Group’s latest study highlights a significant shift in consumer attitudes toward AI, with trust projected to increase markedly over the next four years. More than half of AI‑assisted shopping experiences now introduce shoppers to new brands, and AI use in purchase journeys has roughly tripled compared with 18 months ago. These trends suggest that AI is becoming a key driver of value‑based purchasing decisions rather than just price considerations.
Timeline
- — 12 AI safety startups to watch, according to VCs (Sifted — EU startups)
- — MegazoneCloud Launches Its Gemini Enterprise Center of Excellence to Accelerate Enterprise AI Adoption (PR Newswire)
- — Consumer Trust in AI Is on Track to Grow by 15 Percentage Points by 2030 (PR Newswire)
- — TIER IV to showcase integrated AI, data, and computing solution for SDVs at Automotive World 2026 (PR Newswire)
- — Nine CEO confident new AI laws will deliver a ‘world of growth in publishing’ as network slashes costs (The Guardian — Technology)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- By 2030, consumer trust in AI projected to be 15 percentage points higher than 2026 levels (BCG).
Sectors affected
- Retail
- AI software and services
- Consumer technology
Sources
- Consumer Trust in AI Is on Track to Grow by 15 Percentage Points by 2030 — PR Newswire
- MegazoneCloud Launches Its Gemini Enterprise Center of Excellence to Accelerate Enterprise AI Adoption — PR Newswire
- TIER IV to showcase integrated AI, data, and computing solution for SDVs at Automotive World 2026 — PR Newswire
- 12 AI safety startups to watch, according to VCs — Sifted — EU startups
- Nine CEO confident new AI laws will deliver a ‘world of growth in publishing’ as network slashes costs — The Guardian — Technology
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