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Despite growing up in the digital age, or perhaps because of it, Gen Z is increasingly skeptical of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to other generations, a new study revealed.
More 18- to 24-year-olds said they don’t want AI on their phones compared to older generations, according to a new GWS research report. While the Gen Z group said they didn’t want AI 16 percent of the time, only 9 percent of the older group surveyed said the same thing.
They also had different views on the technology in general. While nearly half, or 46 percent, of older millennials said they were in favor of AI if it boosts their productivity, only 25 percent of Gen Z said the same, revealing a significant gap despite being the generation most likely to grow up around AI.
“Gen Z’s skepticism toward AI reflects a generation that’s hyper-aware of how technology has been used to exploit them,” HR consultant and generational expert Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. “They’ve grown up in a world where social media has wrecked mental health and algorithms prioritize profit over people. This group sees AI as more likely to replace their jobs than to actually improve their work lives.”
An attendee inspects the the new iPhone 16 Pro Max during an Apple special event at Apple headquarters on September 09, 2024 in Cupertino, California. Gen Z was more likely to be skeptical about AI on their phones, a new report found.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The survey was conducted across 3,000 American smartphone users and indicated a generational divide despite the fact Gen Z was more likely to feel they understood the newer technology tool.
Only 6 percent of Gen Z felt they didn’t understand AI enough to have an opinion on it, indicating the younger generation might feel their experiences with AI are actually more likely to make them hesitant about it.
“Recent advances in AI might have yielded some impressive new technology,” Paul Carter, CEO of GWS and mobile trends and consumer behavior expert, said in a statement. “But while many of the biggest tech firms have launched their own AI tools in recent months, our data shows that more work must be done to truly convince consumers that AI will make their mobile experience better, especially with younger audiences.”
Men were also more likely to embrace AI, regardless of age, saying they’d support the tech if it made things easier 46 percent of the time. That was compared to just 31 percent of women.
Across the board, though, the generational gap likely has roots in Gen Z’s own experiences as digital natives.
“Gen Z’s skepticism towards AI on phones likely stems from their unique experiences growing up in a digital-first world,” Dev Nag, the CEO and founder at QueryPal, told Newsweek. “Having witnessed technology’s rapid evolution and its societal impacts, they may be more attuned to potential downsides like privacy concerns and job displacement fears. Their skepticism could also reflect a desire for more authentic, human connections in an increasingly digital world.”
Gen Z’s position in the workforce could be causing a higher number to express concerns about the technology too.
“Many Gen Z workers are in entry-level or service industry jobs that haven’t yet seen significant AI integration or benefits, unlike older millennials who might be using AI tools for data analysis, content creation, or project management,” Nag said. “This limited exposure in their professional lives, combined with concerns about AI’s impact on job security in lower-skill positions, could be fueling their skepticism.”
Most Americans didn’t feel substantial privacy concerns when it came to AI on their phones, with only one in 10 saying they worried AI would be “too intrusive” on them.
And while Gen Z has expressed some skepticism over AI specifically on their phones, they have been leaning on it in many areas of their lives, especially when it comes to financial advice and budgeting.
Still, there’s a large difference between using AI to make things easier in your personal life and at your own pace than implementing the tools on phones and in the workforce, experts said.
“Unlike older generations, who might see AI as a shiny new productivity booster, Gen Z is questioning who really benefits from these tools,” Driscoll said. “On this point, they’re not being anti-technology. They’re being pro-human, pro-worker. As this generation dominates the workforce, companies pushing AI without considering its human impact will face resistance, and rightfully so.”