Survey Finds Broad Trust in AI Job Search Help

Ruth AI, an AI career strategist built for women, has released The Trust Gap, a national study conducted with The Harris Poll of 2,131 U.S. adults. The June 2026 survey found that 81% of respondents would let an AI agent handle at least one part of their job search, while 47% would let AI negotiate their salary. Forty-five percent have used AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for career or work-related advice. The research examines how Americans use and trust AI for careers, job searches, and pay.

AI Advice Reaches Workers

Use of AI for career advice was higher among younger respondents. Sixty-six percent of Millennials and 63% of Gen Z adults reported using an AI platform for career or work-related advice. One in three U.S. adults had used AI for guidance about money at work, including salary, raises, bonuses, or negotiating pay.

The survey was conducted online in the United States from June 11 to June 13, 2026. Its nationally representative sample included 420 Gen Z adults, 620 Millennials, 519 Gen X adults, and 572 Baby Boomers, with data weighted to the U.S. general adult population.

Delegating Job Search Tasks

Respondents were most open to using AI agents for job search tasks. Sixty-seven percent would let an agent search for jobs, and the same share would use one for pre-interview research. Sixty-five percent would allow AI to update their resume, while 55% would let it apply for jobs outright.

Willingness to delegate was especially high among Millennials, 90% of whom said they would be comfortable having an AI agent manage at least one part of a job search. The survey also found that 49% would let AI negotiate benefits and 47% would let it negotiate salary.

Awareness Of AI Limits

The study found limited awareness of external academic research on bias in AI career and salary guidance. Seventy-six percent of respondents had never heard that independent research had found AI can produce biased career and salary guidance, while 72% agreed that AI can sound confident even when its advice turns out to be wrong.

81 percentage of U-S adults would let an AI agent handle at least one part of their job search.

“Americans are handing AI some of the most consequential decisions of their working lives, from the job search to the salary ask, while most have never heard that the guidance can carry bias. We are delegating faster than we are asking questions. The responsibility now falls on the people building AI to earn the trust users are already giving it.”

Career Support For Women

Ruth AI is building a suite of AI agents intended to help women build personal brands, negotiate their worth, and launch their businesses. The San Francisco company states that its mission is to close the $1.6 trillion gender wage gap.

The survey’s findings show strong willingness among respondents to hand AI practical job search work, including resume updates, applications, research, and job searches, while many respondents were unaware of external research on biased AI guidance.