A study conducted by Proton among AI chatbot users reveals that 60% of French respondents have already discussed at least one sensitive topic with an artificial intelligence, despite significant concerns regarding data privacy.
Even though there is widespread wariness regarding AI, a study by Proton reveals that nearly 60% of users have already confided in it about their private lives.
A global study
Proton conducted a study on AI usage worldwide, surveying a total of 4,000 people across France, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The study results show that many users treat AI as a confidant, readily discussing sensitive topics with it. In France, 60% of users have already confided in AI about their private lives. While this figure is already high, it reaches 68% in Germany and the United States, and 67% in the United Kingdom.
Top topics include money (30% of responses), followed by work (24%) and mental health (21%). Users also confide in AI about romantic relationships and sexuality (13%) and family conflicts (10%).
Users want non-judgmental answers
While French people continue to confide in their loved ones, they prefer discussing certain topics—particularly money—with an AI.
Cited reasons include the desire for high-quality answers and, above all, responses free from judgment. 43% of respondents cite this as their primary reason. They also point to the availability of AI—accessible around the clock—as well as the quality of the advice received.
Users feel that AI provides relevant answers to their issues. In fact, six out of ten French people are more inclined to consult an AI today than they were two years ago.
Concerns regarding data privacy
While more than half of French users confide in AI, many remain concerned about the privacy of the information shared during their conversations. Indeed, 47% believe that companies in the sector do a poor job of protecting their personal data.
The study conducted by Proton reveals two major user concerns. The first, cited by 52% of respondents, relates to targeted advertising; users worry that their interactions with AI will be used to serve them targeted ads. They also fear that this information will be used by companies to train their models.
