A new survey from digital bank bunq has revealed a striking shift in how Irish consumers approach financial conversations. More than one in three respondents feel they can speak more openly about their finances with artificial intelligence than with friends, family, or colleagues. This finding highlights AI’s growing role as a neutral, pressure-free advisor in personal money management. The research, carried out on behalf of the mobile-first bank bunq, polled 1,000 adults across Ireland.
Results showed that 36 percent are more candid with AI, while another 37 percent report matching levels of honesty whether talking to technology or to humans.
Nearly half—49 percent—have already relied on AI when making everyday financial choices, often seeking guidance during stressful periods such as unexpected expenses or budgeting challenges.
These open exchanges are delivering measurable gains. One in three participants said artificial intelligence helped them build savings over the past year.
Among those who benefited, more than a quarter reported putting away more than €500.
Behavioral scientist Dr Nick Hobson described the dynamic as a form of low-risk emotional training.
He observed that users often begin with practical queries before developing deeper trust, thanks to the absence of social judgment.
The interaction resembles chatting with a stranger on a journey—safe enough to reveal uncomfortable truths.
Over time, this practice serves as a rehearsal space, preparing individuals for real-life conversations about raises, family spending rules, or personal boundaries. Once people witness tangible results from honesty, they approach human conversations with less anxiety.
Joe Wilson, bunq’s Chief Evangelist, stressed that success depends on how naturally the technology fits into daily routines.
He explained that genuine value arises when AI removes obstacles rather than creating new ones.
For bunq, this means embedding smart assistance directly into spending, saving, and planning tools so customers actually turn to it regularly.
Institutional trust remains essential.
Two-thirds of those surveyed said they place more confidence in AI developed by their own bank than in independent chatbots.
This preference helps explain why Ireland is pulling ahead of peers in the United Kingdom and United States when it comes to weaving artificial intelligence into routine financial life.
The study was conducted in February 2026 by Pollfish and formed part of a larger project covering 7,000 people in seven countries.
Its goal was to explore adoption patterns, perceived benefits, and lingering concerns around AI in finance.
bunq, known as one of Europe’s second-largest neobanks and powered by generative AI, has reimagined banking from the ground up.
Its proprietary systems support everything from daily budgeting to international transfers, helping location-independent customers and businesses manage money.
Having pioneered several industry firsts—including the first European banking licence in 35 years and a record Series A funding round—the bank recently expanded into the United States as a registered broker-dealer.
As adoption accelerates, the Irish market findings suggest AI is doing more than crunching numbers. It is quietly building financial confidence, encouraging transparency, and delivering real savings—one honest conversation at a time.