Generational divide emerges on workplace AI

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the world of work, younger employees are taking the lead in adopting and experimenting with new tools. According to a new survey by UKG and The Harris Poll, Gen Z workers are not only the most enthusiastic users of workplace AI but also the most likely to be self-taught. The research highlights a growing generational divide. While 84 percent of U.S. employees overall say they want AI to handle workplace processes, Gen Z – those aged 18 to 28 – are particularly eager. Ninety percent believe AI will save them time at work, with nearly a third expecting to reclaim up to 90 minutes a day. They’re also the most likely to have taken the initiative to learn AI skills independently, with 70 percent teaching themselves the tools they use.

Despite this enthusiasm, nearly half of Gen Z employees (49 percent) say their managers don’t understand the benefits of AI. That perception reflects a broader disconnect: just over a quarter of senior leaders in a 2023 UKG study believed Gen Z had the best grasp of AI at work. The new data suggests otherwise – and points to an opportunity for organisations to bridge that gap.

Across all generations, employees agree on one key principle: AI is a tool, not a colleague. Almost nine in ten (89 percent) say AI should support human work rather than replace it. Most want to see it used for repetitive, data-heavy, or error-prone tasks such as checking pay accuracy, creating schedules, or summarising policies – not for roles requiring judgment or empathy.

UKG’s chief product officer, Suresh Vittal, argues that this moment mirrors past technological shifts. “Every few decades, something changes everything – electricity, mobile phones, the internet,” he says. “AI is the next leap. The sooner organisations act, the more they’ll benefit.”

The research shows that while Gen Z may be the vanguard of AI adoption, their preferences align with wider employee sentiment. The majority want AI to enhance, not upend, the way they work. By learning from younger employees and promoting wider digital literacy, employers can use AI to free up time for more strategic and creative work – across every generation.