ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Trust Gap: Ruth AI’s national study with The Harris Poll
The Trust Gap is Ruth AI’s national study with The Harris Poll about how Americans use AI for careers and work, what they trust it to do, and their awareness of bias. The full findings and methodology live on Ruth’s research site.
What the study measures
The Harris Poll surveyed 2,131 U.S. adults June 11–13, 2026. The data were weighted to the U.S. general adult population.
Among respondents, 45% had used AI for career or work advice; 47% would let AI negotiate their salary; and 76% had not heard that research has found AI can give biased career and salary guidance.
Why this belongs in the conversation about work
Choosing to use a tool and knowing how to evaluate its output are different skills. A useful discussion of workplace AI needs to address both. Teams can start by asking where employees use AI, what decisions its outputs influence and how people check advice before acting.
The study offers a starting point for these conversations. It gives event organizers, employers and journalists specific questions to explore rather than treating AI adoption as a single yes-or-no decision.
Read the findings in context
The report describes survey responses, not a test of every AI product. References to biased recommendations draw on external research. Subgroup findings should be read alongside their sample sizes and the methodology.
Read The Trust Gap on Ruth AI for the findings, methodology and download. See Valerie’s speaking topics for related sessions on AI and the future of work.
Prepared with AI assistance from Valerie’s published work and public sources. This article is a practical guide; it does not describe a client’s results.