Amongst Gen Z the term ‘AI’, short for artificial intelligence, has become so common it could almost be considered Gen Z slang. If Millennials and Gen Z are considered digital natives, one could possibly go even further to pronounce Gen Z as Generative AI (GenAI) natives.

From our first report, Young People’s Perception and Use of Generative AI in 2023, it was clear Gen Zs embraced GenAI. In 2025 we return for the second wave of research to explore how these perceptions have changed.

The 2025 study includes insights from 560 young people aged 14 to 27 spanning from secondary to tertiary education, including those already in the workforce. Gen Z have increased their use of GenAI by almost 25 percentage points since 2023. And at the time of the survey, nine in 10 young people reported having used GenAI.

However, as the percentage of Gen Zs using GenAI has risen, so has their worry that the development of new AI technologies will affect their future career prospects.

Key Insights

  1. Gen Z is in favour of developing skills to use GenAI for education
  2. There’s a rise in Gen Zs reconsidering their study/career choice due to the rise in GenAI
  3. Gen Z stand out compared to other generations in being able to adapt to GenAI in the workforce.

Gen Z developing GenAI skills during their studies

Our research found that 59 per cent of Gen Zs thought it was important for young people to develop skills to use GenAI effectively for their studies. And 62 per cent said the same of developing GenAI skills for their future career.

Some young people might be attracted to the use of GenAI in their studies because of the way GenAI can produce a consistent learning environment for students. It can provide students with an individualised experience that makes what they are learning feel more relevant to their lives (Ali et al, 2024; Kadaruddin, 2023).

For example, Duolingo’s approach provides consistent pronunciation, grammar corrections and cultural context for language learners, all while employing a bright interface and cheerful owl. And unlike a traditional classroom setting, Duolingo ensures all students receive the same standard of feedback and learning each time they practise.

The rise in Gen Zs reconsidering career options, because of GenAI

While the majority of Gen Zs have not reconsidered their current or future study or career prospects as a result of GenAI tools (43 per cent), around one third have (30 per cent), suggesting this continues to be a growing concern in the younger generation about their future.

The feeling within this percentage tile is that GenAI could be responsible for job displacement and there’s a desire to find a field where GenAI will have less of a supposed impact.

One person surveyed for the report said they were “unsure what my pathway looks like now, but my ideal career is possibly able to be taken over by AI and that is concerning.”

Another said, “while it has made me reconsider, I’m still choosing to stay in the same field (law and commerce), however I’m going to try and broaden my options and abilities so I can ensure AI doesn’t take over my future job.”

Another, “I wanted to originally study languages in university but I realised that field will soon be dominated by AI so I opted to study psychology which has more growth opportunities in the future.”

This data indicates that education providers need to support students in their development to learn how to use GenAI skills and to ‘future-proof’ their careers.

Looking forward: Gen Z are likely to adapt to GenAI in the workforce

While the number of Gen Zs worried about how GenAI may affect them in the future has increased, Gen Z stand out compared to older generations in how they adapt to GenAI (Shrivastav, 2025).

Despite their worry, Gen Z engage with GenAI on a different level compared to generations before them.

Gen X for example might utilise GenAI for some smaller, everyday tasks. While Gen Zs have already begun adapting AI in their lives and careers, whether we realise it or not (Shrivastav, 2025).

GenAI has always been around for Gen Z: from virtual assistants, to resume builders, to Netflix recommendations to workplace tools such as Notion AI, Grammarly and Copilot.

While they may be concerned about their careers, it’s clear Gen Zs are already living and operating in a world where GenAI has taken hold. And their familiarity could put them in a strong position not just to adapt to, but to actively shape how AI is used in educational institutions and the workforce.

Works Cited

Ali, M., Wafik, A., Mahbub, S., & Das, J. (2024). Gen Z and Generative AI: Shaping the Future of Learning and Creativity. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(10), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2024.v04i10.001.

Shrivastav, K. (2025). Gen Z Will Be Prepared For the AI Wave Entering the Workforce. Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society, 18(1), 1-14. https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/intersect/article/view/3535/1710.