Smarty Pants or Life-Hacker: What type of AI agent user are you?

AI agents are changing how we work, but Salesforce’s latest research reveals that consumers are also looking to agentic AI to simplify their daily lives. 

The survey of 2,552 U.S. consumers identified four personality types interested in AI agents: the Life-Hacker, the Tastemaker, the Minimalist, and the Smarty Pants.

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The findings reveal that consumer personas are as varied as the AI agents serving them. The ability of agents to personalize services based on each individual’s traits will unlock opportunities for brands and consumers as this technology continues to scale. The study also revealed a rich landscape of opportunity for AI agents through these key personas: 

• The Smarty Pants (43%) who values informed decision-making
• The Minimalist (22%) who prioritizes simplification
• The Life-Hacker (16%) who seeks efficiency
• The Tastemaker (15%) who desires personalized recommendations

The study highlights the new and diverse ways consumers can make the most of AI agents, from taking tasks off their plates to making more informed decisions. Businesses should use these personas as a roadmap to help understand what their customers want and to align agent development with real-world requirements.

The agentic AI consumer personas

Let’s look at the four personality types in more detail. The Smarty Pants, who values being well-informed, wants an AI agent to provide a thorough analysis of options and present information clearly, facilitating confident and strategic decision-making:

• 53% want an AI agent to break down complex information in a way that makes sense to them
• 52% can multitask when it’s necessary, but generally like to be strategic
• 54% love finding helpful tools, but they always research all of their options for an informed decision 
• When adopting a new gadget, these consumers tend to research a ton to learn as much as they can before using it 

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The predominantly Gen X/Boomer Minimalist is often less comfortable with AI and wants an agent to simplify decision-making and handle tasks, preferring a streamlined, low-stress approach to life:  

• Over one-third (37%) want an AI agent to simplify decision-making and do things for them that help clear their plates
• 64% are Gen X or Baby Boomers
• 58% aren’t comfortable using AI tools
• 42% prefer hacks that simplify their lifestyle as much as possible 

The tech-savvy Life-Hacker is comfortable with AI tools, wants an agent to maximize efficiency, multitask, and act as a personal project manager to get things done faster:

• 52% want an AI agent that helps them do things faster and maximize efficiency
• 56% are comfortable using AI tools
• 55% are always looking for ways to get more done in less time 
• 57% love multitasking, always looking to combine tasks and save time
• When making decisions, they want to make the smartest, most efficient decision possible

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Finally, the predominantly Gen Z/Millennial Tastemaker wants an AI agent to provide personalized, curated recommendations for shows, restaurants, products, and more, aligning with their unique tastes and preferences:

• 40% want an AI agent to recommend the best shows, restaurants, or products tailored just to them
• 54% are Gen Z or Millennials
• 51% prefer thoughtful, curated suggestions over generic tips
• When getting a new gadget, they personalize every setting to match their unique needs

Consumer use cases for AI agents 

Research shows that consumers are ready for and enthusiastic about agentic AI. Here are the areas of interest for consumer AI agent use cases: 

• Consumers are keen for AI agents to provide personal assistance and save time. Nearly half (44%) of US consumers would use an AI agent as a personal assistant, and 70% of Gen Z are interested in agentic personal assistants.
• Consumers are eager for agents to enhance their shopping experiences. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of consumers are already comfortable with AI agents shopping for them, with almost a third (32%) of Gen Z consumers comfortable.
• Consumers want AI agents to help them find jobs and build their careers. The survey found 44% of Americans would use AI agents to find jobs that fit their skills and interests, with as many as 68% of Gen Z saying they would turn to agents in their job search. 
• Consumers want AI agents to help manage their health and wellness. The survey found 43% of respondents are interested in using agents to create healthy meal plans and order groceries, with 61% of Gen Z saying they would use agents to guide their eating decisions.

Interest in AI agents will drive adoption 

Today’s consumers expect more than functionality — they expect experiences that feel tailored, intuitive, and emotionally intelligent. While businesses are looking to AI for efficiency, 65% of consumers are looking to AI agents to help them make better decisions and make their lives easier. 

With the arrival of AI agents, consumers expect more tailored, streamlined experiences — and businesses need to deliver. These personas are a great roadmap for businesses to understand what their customers want and to guide their agentic implementations.

For years, customers have said the experience a company provides is as important as its products and services. Understanding consumer personalities is a strategic necessity for delivering premium experiences in the age of intelligent agents. Consumers are no longer just accepting AI, they’re curating it. They want agents to understand them. For brands, this is a mandate for better design. For consumers, it’s a path to more relevant, trusted, and human-centered experiences.

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Businesses that embrace AI agents will meet these rising customer expectations and deliver unparalleled value, bolstering their bottom line and positioning themselves for success in this digital labor revolution.