Young UK adults warm to AI help with everyday finances

Cleo has published survey findings that point to growing acceptance of artificial intelligence for routine money management among UK adults aged 28 to 40, alongside low confidence in personal finance and wide regional savings gaps.

The research covered 5,000 UK adults in that age bracket. It found that 64 percent would trust AI to advise them on disposable income. More than half said they would accept AI automatically moving money to avoid overdrafts, at 54 percent. A similar share said they were open to AI managing routine bill payments, at 52 percent.

The findings land amid pressure on household budgets and ongoing debate about the role of automated tools in financial decision-making. Cleo described its product as a money management app and financial assistant.

The survey also measured sentiment about the idea of using AI to manage money. One in five respondents said they felt "curious". Another 12 percent said they were "excited".

Financial confidence

Respondents also reported difficulties with day-to-day money management. More than a third, 37 percent, said they struggle with self-discipline when it comes to money. The research linked this to impulse spending and disrupted savings plans.

Four in five respondents said they believed they could improve their financial knowledge. The results point to a mismatch between intended money habits and routine decision-making across the sample.

The survey results also suggest differences inside the 28-to-40 cohort. Adults aged 28 to 34 reported higher satisfaction with savings than those aged 35 to 40. Cleo put the gap at around 15 percent. It also said younger respondents save 33 percent more each month on average than those aged 35 to 40.

The survey found differences in confidence about using AI tools. Adults aged 28 to 34 were eight percent more confident than those aged 35 to 40 in using AI powered financial tools, according to Cleo. The company framed this as a generational split inside early adulthood.

Trust barriers

The research also indicates limits on adoption. Cleo said trust remained a hurdle, with 23 percent preferring to start small and see clear proof of value first.

Cleo's CEO and Founder linked the findings to cost of living pressures and long-term debt burdens.

"The reality is that saving feels almost impossible for a lot of young people right now," said Barney Hussey-Yeo, CEO and Founder, Cleo. "Costs keep rising, pay has not caught up, and debt follows people for years. Most people are not failing at money, they are being left to figure it out alone. Cleo was built to change that by giving people clear, practical guidance they can actually use day to day."

Hussey-Yeo also drew a line between automated tools and traditional advice.

"AI is not a replacement for a financial adviser," said Hussey-Yeo. "But it can be there every day to make money feel more manageable," he added. "Used properly, it gives people a clearer picture of what they can afford and helps them build better habits over time."

Regional picture

The survey highlighted differences in savings across the UK. Cleo said average monthly savings in the South are 26 percent higher than in the North. It also reported that Londoners save 33 percent more than the national average.

At a city level, Cleo said Londoners save £250 more per month than those in Norwich. Norwich ranked lowest in its city comparison.

Cleo listed London at £431.99 for average monthly savings. Brighton followed at £401.12, and Edinburgh at £386.57. At the lower end, Newcastle recorded £185.30, Cardiff £184.95, and Norwich £178.09.

The company said the figures underlined uneven financial outcomes among young adults across the country. It also set out a picture of consumers who show interest in AI tools for budgeting and payments, while remaining cautious about trust and value.

"AI is not a replacement for a financial adviser," said Hussey-Yeo.