Kikoff, the credit-building platform used by over a million Americans, released new survey findings from 1,500 U.S. consumers actively working to build credit. The results reveal a significant awareness gap: while AI already powers much of everyday life, most Americans haven’t yet connected it to their finances. In fact, two-thirds of respondents (66%) were unaware that AI tools exist to help manage money and build credit, despite being the very group that could benefit most.

The results reveal a significant awareness gap: while AI already powers much of everyday life, most Americans haven’t yet connected it to their finances.

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Awareness of AI in Finance and Credit Building is Still Low

According to an Associated Press-NORC survey, AI adoption is accelerating: 60% of adults already use it to search for information and 40% use it for work. Yet Kikoff’s recent survey reveals most have not connected AI to their finances. Among the findings:

• 66% are not aware of AI-powered financial tools that can manage your finances or build your credit.
• 86% have never used AI-powered financial tools to manage finances or credit.

Still, there’s openness to the idea. When asked what financial tasks AI could help with , some consumers responded:

• 31% believe AI could help build credit.
• 25% say it could help save money.
• 22% see value in AI giving financial advice.
• 21% think it could negotiate debt.
• Only 12% don’t believe AI can support finances.

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Where Consumers Struggle and How AI Can Help

For consumers with subprime credit, education and cost remain the biggest hurdles. 23% said they don’t know where to start and 19% say it’s too expensive to build credit. These are exactly the kinds of challenges AI can help solve. With personalized, step-by-step guidance, AI can make the credit-building process less confusing. It can also bring down the cost of financial services, making them more affordable and accessible.

“It’s exciting to see AI being used to improve people’s lives,” said Cynthia Chen, CEO of Kikoff. “Now we have the chance to bring that same power to consumers’ financial health, especially for those who have always faced barriers to entry. That’s where AI can be truly transformative.”