51% of US internet households now use generative AI tools for personal, professional, or educational purposes

Parks Associates today announced a new Consumer Insights Dashboard service focused on how consumers adopt and use artificial intelligence (AI) across smart home and entertainment experiences. Drawing on its latest Quantified Consumer research, the firm finds that AI is rapidly moving from early experimentation to dedicated use, with that growing demand driving revenue opportunities.

Ahead of CES® 2026, the firm is sharing data from its 2025 research studies of 8,000 US Internet households, AI in the Smart Home: Applications and Consumer Perceptions and Gen AI in Media & Entertainment. These studies find a growing appetite for AI-powered solutions:

  • 51% of US internet households now use generative AI tools for personal, professional, or educational purposes. 
  • 71% of households are familiar with generative or conversational AI applications. 
  • ChatGPT is the top used consumer-facing AI application, with growing usage for Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
  • 15% of US Internet households use a paid AI application. Of those paying for generative AI apps, 75% are willing to pay for a smart home AI service. 
  • 66% of security system owners use generative AI apps, making them priority targets for AI-enhanced home services. 
  • 79% of US internet households find at least one AI-powered smart home benefit valuable, especially around safety, support, and automation. 
  • About two-thirds of consumers want AI that can detect fake or AI-generated content, underscoring demand for AI that builds trust in media and social platforms. 
  • 63% of US internet households say AI features that enhance live sports experiences—such as personalized highlights and multiple viewing angles—are appealing. 

“Consumers are clearly asking for AI that works for them, simplifying the home, improving entertainment experiences, and increasing transparency,” said Jennifer Kent, SVP & Principal Analyst, Parks Associates. “Our new Consumer Insights AI Dashboard gives companies an always-on view of where AI demand is strongest and where to invest next.”

The Consumer Insights AI Dashboard benchmarks usage and sentiment towards leading consumer AI applications and evaluates demand for specific applications of AI to inform business and partnership strategies for clients across multiple consumer tech ecosystems, including consumer electronics, smart home, entertainment, and home services ecosystems. Parks Associates regularly releases research around connected products and services, including this recently published research: 

Parks Associates is hosting its 20th annual CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES on January 6, 2026, sponsored by Alarm.com, Origin AI, Raymond James, Johnson Controls, Ayla Networks, Ensure Protect, Ivani, Plume, ROCiQ, TechSee, Telecom Design, Ubiety, Arity, Morse Micro, and Real Estate Business Review.

To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific data, please contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein, 972-490-1113.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets.

Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. https://www.parksassociates.com

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