An increasing number of tarot readers, from novices to seasoned practitioners, have been turning to AI chatbots to help interpret their card readings, according to a study published in April 2026. The research examined how technology is reshaping traditional spiritual practices and what it reveals about Americans' growing reliance on automated systems for emotional guidance.
The study, conducted by researchers at an unnamed academic institution, interviewed 12 tarot practitioners about their use of AI in personal readings. Practitioners described being pulled between two impulses: seeking explicit guidance from AI to sidestep the ambiguity inherent in card interpretation, and using the technology as a tool to challenge their own biases and assumptions about what the cards mean for their situations.
According to a 2025 Pew Research survey cited in the study, nearly one in three Americans consult tools such as tarot or astrology at least once a year. Interest is thought to be largely fueled by Gen Z and social media platforms where occult practices have gained mainstream visibility.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives who study technology and culture say the trend reflects healthy American individualism and the free market's ability to meet consumer demand for accessible guidance tools. They argue that adults should have the freedom to use AI in whatever manner helps them navigate personal decisions, whether that involves tarot cards or chatbot consultations.
Tech industry supporters contend that AI guidance applications represent innovation solving real problems. They point out that many people lack access to traditional support systems—therapists, religious counselors, or trusted friends—and argue that AI can provide a judgment-free space for reflection at any hour without the cost barriers of professional services.
Some cultural commentators on the right view concerns about AI emotional dependence as overblown, arguing that humans have always sought advice from various sources, whether spiritual advisors, self-help books, or trusted mentors. They contend that comparing AI to these traditional resources is more appropriate than treating it as uniquely dangerous.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates for digital wellness see the trend as another example of why guardrails around AI emotional support applications are urgently needed. They argue that without proper oversight, tech companies will continue expanding into sensitive areas like personal guidance and mental health advice without adequate safeguards.
Privacy advocates warn that users sharing intimate life questions with AI systems may not fully understand how their data is being stored, analyzed, or potentially monetized. Progressive groups have called for stronger regulations requiring transparency in how AI companies handle personal disclosures made during emotional support interactions.
Some progressive voices also express concern about what they characterize as a broader societal pattern of replacing human connection with algorithmic responses. They argue that while technology can supplement support networks, it should not become a substitute for professional mental health resources or genuine interpersonal relationships.
What the Numbers Show
According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, approximately 30% of Americans consult tarot, astrology, or similar tools at least once per year. This represents a significant increase in mainstream acceptance compared to earlier decades when such practices were considered fringe.
In one recent survey cited by researchers, up to 87% of generative AI users reported consulting the technology for personal applications, including advice and emotional support for relationship conflicts and mental health struggles. The study noted that chatbots have also been found to nurture delusional beliefs in some cases and, rarely, lead to self-harm, though such outcomes remain exceptions rather than patterns.
The tarot industry has grown substantially over recent decades. Whereas only a handful of tarot decks were published in the early 1970s, today thousands of tarot and oracle decks are in circulation globally. A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, each carrying its own symbolic meaning that practitioners interpret through the lens of their questions and circumstances.
The Bottom Line
The intersection of traditional spiritual practices with AI guidance tools reflects broader questions about how Americans increasingly turn to algorithmic systems for answers to life's hardest questions. Researchers who conducted the study suggest it is important not to treat AI as an all-knowing source of truth, noting that while technology can open users to new ideas, it should enhance self-reflection rather than substitute for human judgment.
Practitioners in the study described using AI both to generate alternative interpretations and to challenge their own biases—findings researchers say point toward a potential blueprint where AI keeps users actively engaged in finding answers rather than simply dispensing them. The researchers argue this represents a healthier model for how the technology could function alongside traditional guidance practices, whether tarot-based or otherwise.
What remains unclear is whether regulatory frameworks will evolve quickly enough to address concerns about emotional dependence and data privacy as AI guidance tools become more sophisticated and widely adopted.