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iHeartMedia Releases Third in a Series of Consumer Studies, Revealing America’s Deepening Need for Human Connection in an AI-Driven World
The “Human” Consumer Study Shows that 82 percent of consumers worry about AI’s societal impact, and 9 in 10 believe it’s important to know the media they
About this update from Iheartmedia, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nThe “Human” Consumer Study Shows that 82 percent of consumers worry about AI’s societal impact, and 9 in 10 believe it’s important to know the media they consume is created by a real person\n\n\nReport released to marketers at iHeartMedia’s AudioCon 2025 in NYC\n\n\n NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\niHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America and the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today released its third annual study, “AudioCon 3.0: The Human Consumer.” Over the past three years this acclaimed series of consumer studies -- from the New American Consumer with Malcolm Gladwell to America’s Ignored Consumer -- has given marketers a deeper understanding of today's evolving audiences. Today’s “Human” Consumer study, which brings together research across age groups and demographics, demonstrates the impact that media and technology are having on consumers, shaping their beliefs and behavior. The study also provides insights for marketers on how to curate advertising strategies that authentically connect with audiences and build trust in an increasingly fragmented and technology driven world.\n\n\nThe new research, fielded through Critical Mass Media for iHeartMedia, found that 82 percent of respondents worry about AI’s societal impact, and 9 in 10 believe it’s important to know the media they consume is created by a real person. Most respondents long to feel ‘human’ again through deep, meaningful relationships, but simultaneously feel overwhelmed by their phones, hindering the ability to pursue these connections. These conflicting sentiments are driving new consumer behavior.\n\n\n“The data shows us that consumers are emotionally driven, digitally fatigued and yearning for authenticity in an increasingly algorithmic world,” said Lainie Fertick, President of Insights for iHeartMedia. “This is especially critical with rapid technology advancements and the growing use of AI in the media industry. For marketers, it creates both hurdles and unique opportunities to connect with audiences in this new environment.”\n\n\nThe research also highlighted additional ways technology is impacting key consumer beliefs and behaviors, with other key findings from the report including:\n\n\n\nChildren are struggling to be independent in a tech-forward era: 3 out of 4 children simply want to hang out together in person, but pa...