Key Consumer Attitudes Toward AI with Idil Cakim

Four out of five US adults don’t trust an AI-generated ad, AI-driven product, or service, and that gap between business adoption and consumer acceptance is growing. In this episode, Idil Cakim, Founder & CEO, Iris Flex, joins host Jon Last, President, Sports and Leisure Research Group, to unpack what brands often miss about consumer attitudes toward AI. They discuss why AI usage doesn’t always equal trust, how gender and age shape adoption, and Idil’s AI Proximity framework (exposure, control, delegation, and context) for measuring readiness. The conversation covers audience segments from avoiders to power users, where power users convert more in categories like financial services, auto, and wearable health. They also explore common rollout mistakes, the need for pre-testing and longitudinal tracking, and why human support still matters in sensitive decisions.00:00 Power Users Payoff00:52 AI Adoption Trust Gap02:28 Why Study Consumers04:09 Gender and Age Nuance07:44 Usage Doesnt Mean Trust08:59 AI Proximity Framework12:32 Segments From Avoiders14:13 Brand Mistakes and Fixes18:40 Measuring Trust Over Time22:34 Future Attitudes and Governance24:55 Human Touch Still Matters27:35 Wrap Up and Book InfoInsights & Innovators Podcast from MRII | Hosted by The Greenbook Podcast NetworkExplore more episodes and resources → https://www.greenbook.org/podcast-networkLearn more about MRII → https://mrii.org/