AI Assistants Emerging as a Rival to Traditional Apps for Everyday Tasks

Executive Summary

• TELUS Digital’s survey finds that 32% of U.S. consumers have replaced at least one app with an AI assistant in the past year.
• The top reasons for switching are greater convenience (62%), faster results (54%) and better overall user experience (53%).
• Respondents expect AI assistants to handle a majority of everyday tasks within the next year, with 36% forecasting increased reliance.

Key Details

• Survey sample: 1,000 U.S. adults (18+) who use AI assistants at least monthly; conducted September 2025 via Pollfish.
• Adoption Drivers: Convenience (62%), speed (54%), user experience (53%).
• Future Outlook: 36% anticipate relying on AI assistants more than apps for most daily tasks within one year.
• Performance Preference Rankings:
• Speed – 83% say AI assistants are faster than apps.
• Adaptability – 71% prefer AI assistants’ learning ability.
• Personalization – 54% favor AI assistants.
• Accuracy – split evenly between AI assistants and apps.
• Trust Levels: 24% trust AI assistants with personal data, 50% trust apps more, 26% trust neither.
• Task‑Specific Preferences:
• Health & fitness – 46% choose AI assistant vs. 35% app.
• Shopping & retail – 63% prefer app vs. 33% AI assistant.
• Banking & finance – 67% favor app vs. 24% AI assistant.
• News & media – 51% opt for app vs. 40% AI assistant.
• App Usage Stability: 58% report no change in app usage over the past year; 24% increased their app use.
• Retention Factors for Apps: Loyalty rewards/perks (51%), ease of browsing (37%), familiarity/habit (35%).
• Adopter Segments:
• Early adopters – 52% have replaced an app with an AI assistant.
• Late majority – 24% have made the switch; 16% expect higher reliance on AI assistants within a year.
• Quotes:
• “This study shows the beginning of a marked change in consumer behavior… creates a critical opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves,” said Tobias Dengel, President, TELOS Digital Solutions.
• “Every app will need to be rebuilt for an AI‑ and voice‑first world… first‑mover advantage for businesses that invest now.”

Notable Quotes

• Tobias Dengel, President, TELUS Digital Solutions:

  “While AI assistants deliver speed and flexibility, apps continue to matter to consumers, offering reliability, rewards and familiarity. The real opportunity for brands is to merge the best attributes of both into AI‑powered apps supported by entry points from leading AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Gemini.”

• Tobias Dengel (continued):

  “At TELUS Digital, we’ve long believed that every app will need to be rebuilt for an AI‑ and voice‑first world… there’s a clear first‑mover advantage for businesses that invest now in this next wave of customer engagement.”