Gen Z’s relationship with AI is raising concerns about the future of the workplace, according to a new survey. [+] study.
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Gen Z is diving headfirst into AI, incorporating it into their lives in everything from planning their workouts and meals to filling out job applications and hiring AI tutors. A new survey released today asks how this increased connectivity will impact the workplace. Young people are already being criticized for their inability to collaborate and communicate, with recruiters saying Gen Z is the worst to work with and manage.
Andrew Ross, founder and CEO of dcdx, told me that the company’s goal is to help other business leaders demystify the workplace culture of Gen Z. Many believe that the younger generation feels maligned and misunderstood, and has a bad rap from previous generations and business leaders. Gen Z is criticized for having too many rules, not conforming to corporate demands, being rebellious, lacking etiquette, reliability, and flexibility.
Gen Z’s desire for instant feedback and flexible work environments often clashes with traditional practices, exacerbating workplace tensions and reducing overall productivity. New research released today raises the question of whether an over-reliance on AI will lead Gen Z to rely less on people and develop poor social skills. Findings from a recent TalentLMS survey of 1,000 US Gen Z employees (ages 20-27) highlight five worrying gaps going forward.
Gap 1. Seeking guidance from AI rather than from managers or peers
Nearly half (46%) of Gen Z professionals say they receive better guidance from AI than from their managers. Additionally, 46% say they prefer to ask work-related questions to AI rather than to coworkers or managers. This data highlights a worrying trend where the youngest workers are turning to AI over people for support and guidance in the workplace. This shift could jeopardize workplace collaboration, including mentorship, teamwork, and knowledge sharing.
The researchers explain that this concern is the result of the major life milestones Gen Z has experienced during the isolated and remote world of the pandemic. “Without in-person interactions on campuses and in the workplace, they became immersed in their screens, their feeds, and their technology,” the researchers wrote. “So when AI arrived, they embraced it. For Gen Z, AI is more than just a new tech tool; it’s their 24/7 companion, helping them navigate work and life.”
To gauge AI’s impact on workplace relationships, the researchers asked Gen Z employees whether AI has caused them to interact less with coworkers. A slightly higher proportion (41%) said that the use of AI in the workplace has not caused them to communicate less with coworkers. Still, the researchers found that 39% of Gen Zers are concerned that AI is causing them to interact less with coworkers.
According to the survey, Gen Z’s responses suggest that AI may stifle collaborative dynamics in the workplace. “Younger people don’t seem to want that, but they still need guidance from their colleagues,” the researchers argue. “AI can answer their questions, but it can’t coach them, give them meaningful feedback, guide their growth, or help them adapt to new environments. Relying on AI may be easier than navigating the complex world of human relationships.”
However, the study authors emphasize that this easy solution comes at a cost: “It could deny young professionals the opportunity to learn how to communicate and collaborate well with others. Less time spent interacting with people will inevitably lead to underdeveloped interpersonal skills. Despite all its advantages, AI fluency cannot bridge the communication gap.”
Gap 2. Believing that AI has negatively impacted their skills
The researchers wanted to know whether Gen Z’s heavy reliance on AI would build their skill sets or take them away. While the majority (66%) believe that the use of AI will have a positive impact on their skills, around 10% feel it will have a negative impact, and 15% say it will have no impact. Despite these positive findings, the researchers cautioned that the minority of Gen Z who will be negatively affected still need support.
Gap 3. Lack of attention to developing soft skills
Soft and interpersonal skills can be an antidote to disconnection and isolation in the digital age. A surprising finding is that 63% of Gen Z believe that AI integration in the workplace should be accompanied by soft skills training. These results indicate that young professionals are aware of the complex impacts of AI. While they recognize that AI is driving growth and development, they also notice a widening communication gap.
But the researchers also found a catch: the alarming finding they noted in the first concern – Gen Z’s preference for interacting with AI over humans in the workplace – suggests that while Gen Z understands the importance of developing soft skills, they lack the motivation to put them into practice. Support for this conclusion is reflected in Gen Z’s ranking of the most influential skills: digital (52%) and hard/technical (46%) skills top the important list, while interpersonal (35%) and emotional intelligence (31%) skills rank lower on the list, highlighting their strong connection to technology.
Given Gen Z’s lack of collaboration and communication skills, the authors are concerned that Gen Z ranks lowest in interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence: “AI will serve Gen Z employees well, but it will also hinder their development in teamwork, communication, and workplace interpersonal skills.”
Gap 4. Missing learning opportunities to grow
The researchers wanted to know whether AI was hindering or facilitating growth opportunities for Gen Z. They found mixed results, with 62% of Gen Z employees saying AI has had a positive impact on their learning and growth at work. While this is a strong statistic, the authors wanted to know what growth opportunities exist from the various tasks that are currently delegated to AI.
When asked if AI has taken away growth opportunities for Gen Z, opinions were split almost evenly. On the positive side, slightly more respondents (42%) believe that AI is not hindering their growth by performing tasks that it can learn from. These respondents do not see AI as an obstacle to their growth.
But the data also shows a flip side: 40% of Gen Z employees believe AI is stunting their growth by making them do work they should be learning. The majority of respondents feel they are missing out on learning opportunities, highlighting what the researchers call the “double-edged sword of AI efficiency.”
“Just as smartphones weaken intelligence by making the brain dependent, any new technology that replaces the human discovery process will have the same effect,” the authors note. “Employees, especially those with less experience, may lapse in judgment, operate on autopilot, and miss opportunities to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.”
Gap 5. Relying on AI to complete routine tasks
According to the data, 38% of Gen Z employees rely on AI to perform their daily tasks, while 44% do not. Still, the study authors emphasize that the fact that 38% of Gen Z employees rely on AI is a red flag to be aware of. Additionally, 68% recognize the benefits of smart technology in their daily work and feel that AI can help with everyday workflows and tasks.
List of areas where AI can help young professionals:
59%: Improved decision making 55%: Facilitated adjustment to a new job 50%: Assistance in finding a new job 50%: Closing communication gaps with colleagues and other departments
Bottom line: Redefining the workplace
The report interprets this new data as suggesting that as Gen Z takes over the workplace, they are putting human interaction on the back burner in favor of technology. “AI can empower Gen Z tremendously, but it can also hinder their professional development,” the authors argue, “especially when it comes to teamwork, communication, and building relationships in the workplace.”
They explain that the interplay between emerging generations and machine intelligence in the workplace will redefine the workplace. “To help employers navigate the transition, we’ve identified five key gaps revealed by our survey data,” they conclude. “AI has the potential to elevate organizations that foster a strong human-centric culture. In contrast, AI has the potential to erode the skillsets of people who remain in business-as-usual mode, putting them to sleep.”
