Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing travel planning, delivering personalized itineraries and cost-saving deals with remarkable ease.

However, a Kaspersky survey conducted in summer 2025 with 3,000 respondents across 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, and South Africa, reveals a critical concern as 86 percent of travelers using AI for trip planning are wary of data security risks.

This widespread apprehension underscores the hidden dangers behind AI’s convenience, as travelers navigate the balance between efficiency and protecting their personal information.

The survey highlights AI’s appeal: 73 percent of users value its time-saving capabilities, 65 percent appreciate personalized recommendations and local attraction insights, 63 percent seek budget-friendly offers, and 61 percent rely on it for hard-to-find information.

Parents favor tailored suggestions (68 percent) more than those without children (60 percent), while older travelers (55+) prioritize unique recommendations (65 percent) over personalization (60 percent).

This broad adoption across demographics showcases AI’s growing role as a versatile travel assistant.

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Yet, the risks of AI travel planning are significant. Nearly half of respondents (48 percent) hesitate to share sensitive data, such as IDs or payment details, due to fears of data breaches or misuse.

Another 37 percent exercise caution despite fewer concerns, contributing to the 86 percent who prioritize data security.

Notably, there have been instances where travelers faced issues after trusting AI-generated recommendations without verification, including falling for scams or encountering malicious phishing links embedded in AI outputs.

These incidents highlight the potential for AI to inadvertently expose users to cyber threats, especially when handling tasks like booking hotels or tickets that require personal information.

Younger travelers (18-34) are particularly cautious, with 52 percent reluctant to share data, compared to 42 percent of those over 55, though 44 percent of the latter still practice selective sharing.

Regional variations further illuminate the issue. Travelers in Spain, the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa express heightened caution, while those in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia show greater trust in AI’s security.

Vladislav Tushkanov, group manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Center, said the survey highlights a noteworthy level of caution among travelers who use AI, which is a promising sign.

“A rational attitude is crucial for any type of online interactions, especially when we talk about personal data sharing. After all, your ’private‘ conversations with AI can still be exposed to cyber threats, or a favorable offer discovered by a chatbot may turn out to be nothing more than a scam.

“This doesn’t mean you should abandon these digital tools altogether. Instead, stay mindful, avoid oversharing personal information, and think carefully while choosing which task you can assign to the AI. By doing so, AI-powered services can evolve into reliable assistants that help you tackle a wide range of challenges safely and effectively,” Tushkanov asserted.

Kaspersky shares several tips on how to stay safe while interacting with AI:

– Avoid sharing personal data with AI assistants: ID, address, passwords, or any other sensitive details. Be very selective with the resources where you upload them.

– Perform all important actions and decisions (sending emails, making purchases, booking, etc.) yourself. Assign the AI assistant only routine tasks.

– Verify links and emails AI gives you. Use reliable security solution to check all URLs and block suspicious resources, secure your online payments.

– If you choose AI as your main travel assistant make sure you have stable internet connection while staying abroad. Consider using an eSIM to have constant mobile data access.

– Do not link your main accounts with confidential data to the chatbot or any other AI powered service.