Gen Z workers transform workplace through AI tools
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The rising generation of workers is reshaping the professional landscape through their embrace of artificial intelligence tools.
The AI advantage
A Google survey revealed that 93% of Gen Z knowledge workers are utilizing multiple AI tools weekly, demonstrating their natural affinity for technological integration.
For professionals like Abigail Carlos, a 26-year-old media strategist at Warner Bros. Discovery, AI has become an indispensable ally. “AI cuts my workload in half,” Carlos told Business Insider, using it for everything from drafting emails to revising her LinkedIn profile.
“I look at using it as working smarter, not harder.”
Meanwhile, Monique Buksh, a 22-year-old law student and paralegal in Australia, added, “With AI handling time-consuming work, I’m able to focus more on discussions around strategy, professional development, and problem-solving with my managers.”
Risks and rewards
While AI proficiency is becoming a crucial job requirement, concerns about over-reliance are emerging. According to an online survey of Gen Zers who used AI at work by TalentLMS, 40% believe AI might be hindering their professional growth by handling tasks they could learn from.
The ease of AI solutions, like Grammarly for drafting documents or Otter.ai for transcribing meetings, though time-saving, may also reduce direct engagement in problem-solving and strategic discussions.
Workplace strategist Erica Keswin points out a concerning trend: many Gen Z workers are turning to AI instead of managers for guidance, potentially missing valuable human mentorship.
Finding the balance
Nicholas Portello, a young professional in New York, offers a contrasting perspective. “Some of the best ideas my team and I produced in 2024 can be attributed to brainstorming sessions and environments of open communication as opposed to ChatGPT,” he emphasizes.
The key lies in strategic implementation. As Buksh explains, “Soft skills, like communication and critical thinking, will play an even larger role in the future as AI continues to take over repetitive tasks.”
Similarly, Josh Schreiber, an HR intern, views embracing AI as a lesson from history, akin to early adopters of personal computing.
The workplace is evolving into one where AI proficiency could determine career trajectories. A Microsoft and LinkedIn survey revealed that 71% of leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI expertise, and nearly 80% would give AI-savvy staff greater responsibilities.
However, Deborah Golden, Deloitte’s U.S. chief innovation officer, warns that success ultimately depends on human qualities: “There is a real risk of weakening Gen Z’s ability to navigate ambiguity and build the interpersonal skills that are essential in any workplace.”
The future workplace will require a delicate balance between leveraging AI’s efficiency and maintaining the irreplaceable human element in professional development.
