AI and Us: Chronicle of an Intimate Revolution – The French and Artificial Intelligence in 2026

By Claire Lasselin, Analytics & Insights Director at WPP Media

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant promise but a reality deeply embedded in our daily lives. In response to this rapid transformation, WPP Media conducted an in-depth study—AI and Us: Chronicle of an Intimate Revolution—among the French to analyze their perceptions, usage, and emerging relationship with AI. The results depict swift adoption, transformed relationships, persistent fears, and a clear demand for regulation.

AI in Daily Life: Rapid Adoption and Increased Understanding

AI has reached a significant milestone in France. Currently, 91% of French people report having at least a vague understanding of AI, marking a 6-point increase since March 2023. Furthermore, 49% now possess a very clear understanding of AI, reflecting a 19-point increase over the past year and a half, indicative of a gradual demystification process.

This enhanced understanding has led to widespread adoption. By 2026, 77% of French people use AI in their daily lives, either consciously or unconsciously. The applications are varied, including navigation (62%), predictive text (55%), social media algorithms (53%), and product recommendations (48%).

Generative AI (GenAI) has emerged as a driving force behind this revolution. Its usage has quadrupled since 2023, with 58% of French people having engaged with it. While not yet a daily habit for everyone (42% have never used it), its adoption is particularly pronounced among younger demographics. ChatGPT (72%) and Gemini (56%) have established themselves as leading platforms in this rapidly growing market.

From Search Engine to Intimate Partner: AI at the Heart of Our Lives

AI is evolving into a versatile tool for the French, addressing practical (50%), cognitive (46%), and creative (43%) needs. Whether it is for seeking practical advice (43%), obtaining precise information (43%), or generating new ideas (34%), AI has become an invaluable resource.

More notably, AI is transcending its role as a mere tool and entering the realm of personal and relational interactions:

• A life coach for nearly half of the French population: 55% value AI for providing personalized advice, and 42% would consider it as a partner or personal assistant. Additionally, 36% believe AI could assist them in making significant personal decisions.

• Blurring boundaries: 31% of French people feel that AI understands them better than anyone else. Developing a friendly or partnership-based relationship with AI is conceivable for 36%, while 26% would even consider a romantic or intimate relationship with AI.

This "intimate revolution" highlights a pronounced generational divide. While individuals aged 18-49 use generative AI uniformly for various purposes, including emotional ones, those aged 50-70 primarily utilize it as a powerful search engine and advisory tool. For instance, only 11% of the 50-70 age group express emotions or confide in AI, compared to 29% of those aged 18-34.

Between Trust and Fears: A Conditional Revolution

Despite widespread adoption and intimate usage, enthusiasm is tempered by significant individual and societal concerns:

• Individual concerns: Dependence on AI and the risk of diminished independent thinking are the primary worries, cited by 73% of French people. Privacy breaches (70%) and the erosion of humanity (65%) are also prevalent concerns.

• Societal concerns: Manipulation of information (73%), hacking (71%), and the dissemination of erroneous information by AI (63%) are the most feared societal risks, underscoring the critical need for reliability and control.

Nevertheless, this caution is accompanied by pragmatic acceptance. Seventy-one percent of French people believe it is essential to adapt to living with AI, and 69% agree that this evolution is inevitable—a sentiment that has grown since 2023.

This conditional acceptance underscores the urgent need for regulation and transparency:

• 88% of French people advocate for the establishment of a regulatory body for AI.

• 87% support clear labeling of AI-generated content.

• 87% emphasize the importance of swiftly implementing laws and regulations to govern AI usage.

Navigating the AI Revolution: Strategies for Brands and Stakeholders

This study reveals a complex landscape where AI is rapidly integrating into the lives of the French, offering tangible benefits while raising profound questions. For brands and market players, the following strategies are crucial for fostering lasting and meaningful connections:

• Demystify and educate: Address the partial understanding of AI by positioning it as an educational, functional, and practical tool that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them. Brands can assume the role of educators for their audiences.

• Highlight tangible benefits: Emphasize the advantages of AI, such as time savings (56% for research), practicality, security, control, and data protection. Focusing on these benefits can help alleviate fears.

• Build trust and legitimacy: Transparency, ethical practices, and commitment are essential. Brands should clearly communicate their use of AI and support regulatory measures. Notably, hospitals (24%) and Google (19%) are the most trusted institutions for AI usage, while financial markets (7%) and social networks (8%) are the least trusted.

Conclusion

The relationship between the French and artificial intelligence is intricate and multifaceted. This ongoing intimate revolution sees technology intertwining with human life, but always within the framework of ethical and transparent governance. Those who can navigate this duality, delivering value and fostering trust, will shape the future.

Study Methodology

This study was conducted by WPP Media among 974 respondents representative of the French population aged 18 to 70. Data was collected via a CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) questionnaire from WPP Media’s proprietary panel between November 21 and 27, 2025.