---
title: "Vetting new AI tools — AI data 2026"
url: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/ai/data/ai-try
year: 2026
chapter: "ai"
question: "AITry"
section: "AI at work"
licence: "ODbL 1.0 (https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/)"
---

# Vetting new AI tools

Half of organizations have standardized on one or a few approved tools, while 30% are decentralized or actively experimenting. Only 4% are building internal tools/models.

Asked as: Which of the following best describes how your organization currently approaches AI tools or models? (`AITry`, single select, optional, v2026.1)

## Options offered

1. We mostly use one approved tool or model
2. We use a few approved tools or models
3. Different teams choose their own tools or models
4. We are trying multiple tools or models before deciding what to use longer-term
5. We are building internal tools or models
6. We are not using AI tools or models in a meaningful way
7. Not sure

## Results

### All Respondents

n = 12,637

|  | Respondents | Percent |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| We use a few approved tools or models | 4,138 | 32.8% |
| We mostly use one approved tool or model | 2,345 | 18.6% |
| Different teams choose their own tools or models | 2,186 | 17.3% |
| We are trying multiple tools or models before deciding what to use longer-term | 1,576 | 12.5% |
| We are not using AI tools or models in a meaningful way | 1,197 | 9.5% |
| Not sure | 649 | 5.1% |
| We are building internal tools or models | 546 | 4.3% |

In context: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/ai/data.md