A study by TRG Datacenters reveals a drop in AI excitement as “AI slop”, trust issues and workplace burnout impact public perception.
A new report from data infrastructure provider TRG Datacenters has found that consumer excitement regarding artificial intelligence (AI) has decreased from 50% to 19% over the last two years. The study analysed high-engagement social media posts and consumer surveys to identify the factors contributing to “AI fatigue”.
The report identifies three primary drivers for this shift in sentiment. The first is the proliferation of “AI slop”, a term used to describe low-quality, generated content. Mentions of this term increased ninefold in a single year, reaching 2.4 million by 2026. Data indicates that 82% of these mentions are negative, with users expressing frustration over generated imagery on social platforms and automated cold outreach that lacks a human touch.
The second factor is a growing deficit of trust. Approximately 60% of consumers now doubt the authenticity of online content, while 36% report being less likely to purchase from brands that utilise AI in advertisements. This suspicion is reportedly driving consumers away from mainstream platforms and towards community-based forums where they feel they can engage with real people and verified reviews.
Finally, the report highlights an increase in workplace exhaustion. Users of AI technologies report a 45% higher burnout rate compared to non-users. A cited Harvard Business Review study indicates that while AI can accelerate individual tasks, it often leads to increased expectations and a wider scope of work, raising the total workload.
Many users reported that they often have to redo or edit the content produced by AI, leading to a perception that the technology increases rather than decreases manual effort. Without a significant redesign of internal workflows and a focus on content authenticity, the report warns that companies risk facing long-term retention problems and a further decline in consumer trust.
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