A new Cars.com survey of U.S. car shoppers finds 44% are already using AI-powered search tools built into online marketplaces and 97% believe AI will affect their vehicle selection.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents call AI a timesaver, 59% say AI is a good starting point and 30% say AI can help them make a final decision.

In a release, Matt McDonald, a Cars.com senior director, says the results prove dealers and consumers are at the dawn of a “new era” in vehicle selection. The company recently announced the launch of Carson, an AI-based tool designed to convert conversational queries into click-throughs to vehicle description pages.

“A car purchase is still one of the most significant financial decisions consumers make, and they want technology that helps them navigate complexity while maintaining control,” McDonald writes. “AI tools like Carson are designed to do exactly that — simplify the search process, provide trustworthy recommendations based on verified data and seamlessly connect shoppers with dealerships when they’re ready to move forward.”

Read the full report at Cars.com