This post was originally published on this site.
If you use the internet, you’ve likely heard exaggerated generalizations about out-of-touch Boomers, entitled Millennials, or GenZ’s confusing slang… heck, I even wrote two totally non-cringe, sarcastic articles about them.
Joking aside, there are important generational differences of opinion on business tech that IT professionals should know.
We recently uncovered key insights on how age influences views on AI, the job market, certifications (and more) in our 2025 State of IT research. In particular, the Gen Z cohort (the oldest of which were 28 at the time of this writing), stood out for their unique tech perspectives.
Generational tech disconnect data from the 2025 State of IT Report
The following insights can help anyone in IT understand the evolving nature of our field and what to expect in the future.
Artificial intelligence
Members of Gen Z are a bit more optimistic about AI than their older peers, especially those closer to retirement age.
- A net majority of Gen Z believe AI is a technology that’s worth investing in (82%) vs. 68%, on average
- Gen Z is 1.4x times as likely to believe AI is worth investing in vs. Boomers
Skills important for a career in IT
Gen Z places more value on certain skills than older IT professionals do, perhaps because they’re still earlier in their careers and they’ve had different job search experiences in the current market.
- 83% of Gen Z believe coding skills are valuable (1.2x as likely vs Boomers)
- 74% of Gen Z believe public speaking skills are valuable (1.2x as likely as Boomers)
- 65% of Gen Z believe AI prompting skills are valuable (2x as likely vs. Boomers)
Job-seeking behaviors
In general, younger workers are more likely to job-hop than older IT professionals, often to seek a higher salary or better career opportunities.
- Most (53%) members of Gen Z planned to look for a job in 2025, compared to an average of 36% among all IT professionals
- Relative to members of other generations, Gen Z IT pros are 3.5x times as likely to search for a job as Boomers and 1.7x as likely as Gen X
Views on the value of tech certifications
Perhaps because many of the youngest IT professionals are just starting out in their careers, they view basic IT certifications as useful for establishing credibility to get their foot in the door.
- 78% of Gen Z believe a general IT support certification is valuable
- Gen Z is 1.4x as likely to believe IT support certs are valuable vs. Millennials
- Boomers are 2.9x as likely to believe general IT support certs are not valuable vs. Gen Z
Closing Thoughts
Now entering the workforce in large numbers, even the oldest members of Gen Z will have to work for 40 more years until they reach retirement age. This long time horizon will undoubtedly influence their opinions on the job market, technologies, and the skills needed to succeed in the coming decades.
In particular, Gen Z’s views on the value of artificial intelligence stand out. If AI is to be the world-changing technology it promises to be, younger IT professionals will have to deal with this new reality for the bulk (or even the entirety) of their working careers.
What are your thoughts on the future of IT?
Do you believe skills such as AI, public speaking, and coding will become more important for a career in IT as time passes?