Study: Gen Z is using AI, but skepticism grows
Gen Z is using artificial intelligence regularly, but many young adults are also becoming more skeptical about how the technology could affect their learning, creativity and future jobs. (Photo: KUTV)
A Gallup survey found 51% of Gen Z respondents use generative AI at least weekly. The poll also found 8 in 10 believe AI is at least somewhat likely to make it harder for them to learn in the future.
For University of Utah senior Trey Johnson, AI is already a common part of daily life among his peers.
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“Yeah, I mean, I’d say 99% of my friends use it. It’s an overwhelming majority,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who studies geology and finance, said AI can be a useful learning tool when students still do the work themselves.
“So it does help me learn, but it definitely can slow down your learning process if you, which a lot of people are using it for that in the sense that they use it not to learn, but just to do their assignment for them,” he said.
Fellow University of Utah senior Melanny Montejo uses AI to turn her notes into interactive study quizzes before exams.
“I put all my notes in and I ask for it to give me, like, an interactive quiz, and that’s how I study for my exams,” Montejo said.
But she said the technology can also make it easy for students to take shortcuts.
“It’s also, like, kind of easy to slack, and I know a lot of people use it to cheat as well,” she said.
Gallup found more Gen Z respondents now believe AI could hurt their ability to think carefully and develop new ideas independently. Montejo said she understands those concerns.
“I think all of those concerns are valid, especially, like, the critical-thinking aspect of it,” she said.
She said some of her friends do not use AI at all, including because of environmental concerns. Montejo said she tries to use it intentionally.
“I personally do use it, but I try to be mindful of it,” she said. “Like, I use it with intent, like to study.”
Brandon Amacher, director of the Emerging Tech Policy Program at Utah Valley University, said Gen Z may be the generation most familiar with AI, but it could also be most affected by its rapid development.
“I think they’re both the best at using it when compared to other generations, but also it’s really affecting them,” Amacher said. “And I think they’re concerned because, in a lot of ways, they don’t know what the world is going to look like in five years.”
That uncertainty extends to the job market, he said, especially for college students choosing majors and preparing for entry-level work.
“There’s a lot of conversations and concerns taking place among Gen Z, especially those who are in college right now, of trying to figure out, well, hey, is this major even going to really exist in a few years, or are employers going to be hiring entry-level positions for the type of thing that I want to do?” Amacher said.
Nearly half of employed Gen Z respondents told Gallup that AI’s workplace risks outweigh its benefits. About 70% said they trust work completed without AI more than AI-assisted work.
Johnson said young people will likely continue using the technology while questioning its role in their lives.
“Yeah, almost certainly,” he said. “I think we’re going to keep using it, and I hope the skepticism keeps growing because we need to question things, right?”
Amacher said he is concerned some companies could move too quickly to replace entry-level jobs with AI, leaving fewer opportunities for workers to gain the experience needed to become the next generation of managers and leaders.
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