The love-hate relationship between Generation Z and artificial intelligence

Generation Z is increasingly disillusioned with AI, but not enough to stop using it.

New Gallup A report was released this weekbased on responses from nearly 1,600 people ages 14 to 29 across the United States, suggests that the hype is starting to die down for the digital native generation as AI becomes more integrated into school and work. Enthusiasm is waning and dissatisfaction is growing, even as many young people feel they still need to use technology.

The Gallup poll, conducted in February and March of this year, found that Gen Z’s feelings toward AI have cooled significantly since last year. Only 18% said they were optimistic about the technology, and 22% said they were excited, down from 27% and 36%, respectively. At the same time, anger is growing: 31% of respondents said they feel angry about AI, compared to 22% last year. Concern about AI remained relatively constant at around 40 percent.

The perceived cost of using AI at work or school has also changed. Nearly half of Gen Z workers said they now believe the risks of using AI in the workplace outweigh the benefits — up 11 points from last year — even as a 56% majority admitted the tools would help them complete work faster. This comes at a cost, too: Eight in 10 Gen Zers said using AI to get work done faster will make learning more difficult in the future.

All of this hasn’t stopped Generation Z from using AI, although Gallup said “growth has slowed to a crawl.” Just over half of Gen Z members said they use AI at least weekly, up four points from 47% last year, and about half said they think they will need it for higher education or their future career.

“Generation Z is not outright rejecting AI, but they are reevaluating its role in their lives,” said Stephanie Markin, senior partner at Gallup. “What we see in the data is a generation that recognizes the benefit of AI but is increasingly concerned about its long-term impact on learning, confidence and career readiness.”

These findings come as artificial intelligence settles into a more mature technology, with clearer consequences for a generation entering its difficult job market. block Layoffs While also moving around in schools and Colleges Struggling to adapt For the rapid spread of artificial intelligence. All as Mistrust about artificial intelligence is growing Between the general public and the companies racing to build it.