Study Reveals 42% of Mac Users Embrace AI Apps Daily: Exploring the Growing Trend in AI Adoption

AI adoption among Mac app users is experiencing remarkable growth, according to a recent report from Setapp, the app subscription service. The study reveals that 42% of Mac users utilize AI-powered applications daily, and 63% believe these AI apps offer greater advantages than non-AI alternatives. Additionally, 44% of Mac app developers have incorporated AI or machine learning models into their applications, while another 28% are in the process of doing so.

This survey is part of Setapp's annual report focusing on the current state of Mac apps. The report compiled responses from 1,241 predominantly U.S.-based Mac users, providing valuable insights into the interest in AI applications within this subset. Notably, it highlights popular AI apps that extend beyond native macOS offerings, including Google’s AI Bard and Bing, which utilize OpenAI technologies.

Top AI applications mentioned by users also include TypingMind, Elephas, Spark, Notion, Grammarly, Craft, Luminar Neo, MacGPT, Asana, Raycast, and MacWhisper. Many of these applications enhance user experiences by integrating AI features, rather than being solely focused on AI interactions.

Mykola Savin, Setapp’s product lead, stated, “We see how AI is transforming the app usage experience by providing enhanced user assistance. At Setapp, we are witnessing significant adoption of AI tools and features that we implement on our platform. While not everyone succeeds with AI on their first attempt, those who do tend to use these features consistently.”

This year marks the first time Setapp included questions about AI app adoption in its annual survey, making it difficult to compare current usage with previous years. However, the report indicates a notable integration of AI applications within users' daily routines. On average, users have 51 apps installed on their Macs and access approximately 15 of them daily. With 42% of users reporting daily engagement with AI apps, it’s clear that AI is becoming an integral part of their workflows.

Other commonly used applications include web browsers, Microsoft and Google Office tools—which are also incorporating AI technologies—and Adobe software, which has embraced generative AI across several applications, including Photoshop and other Creative Cloud offerings. Consequently, the actual exposure to AI-driven apps among users may be even greater.

The survey also reveals broader trends in Mac app adoption and discovery, indicating that subscriptions are increasingly favored over one-time purchases. Users primarily discover new apps through the Mac App Store, YouTube, and social media platforms. Additionally, 70% of respondents reported owning a Mac equipped with either an M1 or M2 chip, among other insights.