The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Consumers do not share one verdict on AI content. Research finds substantial concern about authenticity, trust and undisclosed brand use, but also widespread GenAI use and mixed reactions to AI-generated advertising. The phrase “soulless slop and zero talent” captures a criticism, not a representative finding about what everyone thinks.
Do consumers really think AI content is “soulless slop”?
There is no comparable population-wide statistic showing how many people dislike “AI slop.” The studies available ask different questions: whether people use or trust GenAI, how they react to AI-labeled advertising, whether they want disclosure, and how comfortable they are with AI-assisted or fully generated content. Those are related concerns, but they are not interchangeable.
General attitudes are mixed. In a 2025 U.S. study of more than 1,500 people, the Ad Council Research Institute found that 58% were very or somewhat familiar with GenAI, nearly two-thirds used it for personal or work tasks, and half trusted its outputs to some extent. One-third described it as extremely or very beneficial, while another one-third described themselves as extremely or very concerned. Most respondents acknowledged that GenAI makes mistakes. Ad Council Research Institute’s study therefore points to simultaneous use, perceived benefits and concern—not blanket rejection.
Why does AI use by brands draw skepticism?
People may judge familiar content differently once they believe a brand used AI to make it. In controlled experiments, the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM) found that identical advertising received more critical evaluations when participants were told it was AI-generated rather than human-made. In its second experiment, German participants saw six ads with either an AI-generated or human-generated label. The AI label lowered ratings of naturalness and usefulness and reduced willingness to research or purchase.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
NIM’s page also reports that 44% of participants knew AI could create marketing content, 28% understood how personal data was used for personalization, 25% thought they could recognize AI-generated content, 21% trusted AI companies and their promises, and 20% trusted AI itself. The page describes 1,000 respondents each in the U.S., U.K. and Germany; it does not clearly identify a publication date. Its experiment and survey measure different things: the former tests a label’s effect on responses to ads, while the latter asks about awareness and trust. NIM’s account of the findings does not establish that every AI-made ad will be rejected.
Gartner’s October 2025 survey of 1,539 U.S. consumers found that 50% preferred to do business with brands that do not use GenAI in consumer-facing messages, advertising and content. The same survey found 61% frequently questioned whether information used for everyday decisions was reliable, and 68% frequently wondered whether content and information they saw was real. These figures describe a preference about brand-facing content and broader doubts about reliability; they do not measure dislike of every AI application. Gartner published the results in March 2026. Analyst Emily Weiss summarized the marketing implication: “Marketers should treat GenAI as a trust decision as much as a technology decision.” Gartner’s release provides the survey details and statement.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does it matter whether AI assists a person or generates everything?
Yes. Comfort tends to be lower when people are asked about fully AI-generated content than when AI is framed as assisting a human creator. Baringa’s research, involving more than 5,000 respondents across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia in survey waves in March 2024 and January 2025, found that 53% were uncomfortable with content where AI assisted human creators, while two-thirds were uncomfortable with content generated completely by AI.
In the same study, three in four U.S. consumers wanted to know whether content was created by AI, down from 81% in 2024. Additionally, 61% wanted creative companies to be open about which AI they used, and 57% wanted visible labels showing how much AI was involved. These measures capture comfort and disclosure preferences, not a single judgment of quality. Baringa’s study reports the findings and survey timing.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does disclosure make people less likely to buy?
Not necessarily. A label can draw attention to AI use and lower evaluations, as NIM’s ad experiments demonstrate, but another survey found that disclosure did not automatically reduce younger consumers’ stated purchase likelihood.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) surveyed 505 U.S. Gen Z and Millennial consumers who engaged with ads, along with 104 advertising executives; fieldwork ran from October 2025 to January 2026. Only 45% of surveyed consumers felt very or somewhat positive about AI-generated ads, compared with 82% of executives who believed those consumers felt positive. Very or somewhat negative sentiment was reported by 39% of Gen Z respondents and 20% of Millennial respondents. Yet 73% of these Gen Z and Millennial consumers said learning an ad was AI-created would either increase or make no difference to their likelihood of purchase.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
More than half of IAB’s surveyed consumers wanted disclosure for fully AI-generated ads and for AI-generated video or images. The findings apply to the study’s ad-engaged younger consumer sample, not all consumers; stated purchase likelihood is also not the same as observed buying behavior. IAB’s report describes the sample, fieldwork and results.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCan people judge the creator more harshly than the content?
Perceived authorship can affect opinions about who made something even when it does not change judgments of the work itself. In an experiment reported by Google Research, participants felt more negatively about the creator and were less satisfied when they believed AI had been used. The assigned creator did not affect their content judgments in that experiment. This distinction helps explain why a person might object to AI’s role or want it disclosed without necessarily finding every resulting piece worse. Google Research’s study summary describes the result.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Why do survey results differ?
Studies that sound contradictory may be measuring different populations, content and outcomes. Check the scope before treating any one number as a verdict on public opinion:
- Geography: ACRI and Gartner report U.S. findings. NIM includes respondents from the U.S., U.K. and Germany, and its second experiment used German participants. Baringa surveyed across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia. IAB’s consumer sample was U.S.-based.
- Timing: Attitudes can shift, and a publication date is not always the fieldwork date. Gartner’s March 2026 release reports an October 2025 survey; IAB’s fieldwork ran from October 2025 through January 2026.
- What “AI content” means: General GenAI use, brand advertising, AI-assisted creative work and fully generated media are different cases.
- Method: A survey of stated beliefs is not equivalent to an experiment that holds an ad constant while changing its AI or human label.
- Audience and outcome: IAB focused on Gen Z and Millennials who engaged with ads. Trust, comfort, perceived authenticity, content judgments, willingness to research, and stated purchase likelihood are separate measures.
A YouGov report describes a multi-market study of almost 10,000 consumers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S., but its accessible page does not provide the detailed results needed to establish a direction or percentage here. YouGov’s report page gives its scope.
What should a brand take from the evidence?
Use AI only where there is a clear consumer benefit, and be straightforward about its role. The findings support taking concerns about trust and authenticity seriously; they do not show that disclosure alone creates trust, or that every consumer will reject AI-generated work. The right response depends on what the content is, whether a person meaningfully shaped it, and what the audience needs to know to evaluate it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
