An exploration of how people are using (generative) AI in 2026, based on research by AI in the Wild:
As the breadth and depth of usage grows, so has the anxiety that people are surrendering their cognitive responsibilities to AI—a trend the authors call “thinkslop.” There’s also a parallel concern that they are relying too much on the technology for emotional support. In the business world, there is a lot of activity that produces marginal rather than game-changing benefits, so far.
How People Are Really Using AI in 2026, by Marc Zao-Sanders
More people are using AI for more things. Relinquishing of agency appears to be a common denominator amongst some of the observed negatives.