It has become apparent that artificial intelligence will have a prevalent role in the modern world.
Generation Z is considered the “tech-savvy” generation because devices are such a profound part of their education from a young age.
More than half of Gen Z in the U.S. are regularly using AI, especially in school and work environments.
When ChatGPT launched in November 2022, it was the fastest-growing source, reaching one million users within the first five days.
ChatGPT seems to be a lifesaver for students in high school and higher education due to its easy access and ability to find the solution to seemingly any problem.
As students used the tool for schoolwork and even life suggestions, ChatGPT received a lot of goodwill from Gen Z.
Toward the end of February 2025, however, the Walton Family Foundation conducted a survey to collect data about Gen Z’s current attitude toward AI.
For the survey, they gathered 1,572 people between ages 14 to 29 to be surveyed within eight days.
Gen Z stated they felt AI was making them more anxious and angrier, rather than excited and hopeful.
Gen Z’s agreement about excitement towards using AI fell by 14%. Data like this isn’t creating an attractive image for technology and its impact on our emotional well-being.
Gen Z has expressed their worries about AI potentially threatening entry-level jobs.
In 2025, the unemployment rate of college graduates has jumped to an abnormal 5.8%, with 35% of entry-level job postings declining within the last 18 months.
Entry-level jobs are being affected the most, which also happen to be jobs that help teach young workers critical thinking skills. Having jobs taken over by AI heightens anxiety for workers, which creates behavioral actions such as active sabotage of their work companies’ AI roll out.
In the survey, 56% of Gen Z students from K-12 explained they’ll have to learn how to use it by the time they graduate high school or reach college.
This statement has increased by 9% compared to last year’s 47%.
An estimated two-thirds of students have stated that they are learning in classrooms that are allowing AI to be heavily present and used for their education.
The saying “if you can’t beat them, join them” seems to be the only option left for Gen Z, especially recent college graduates.
Accepting that AI isn’t going anywhere, students are seeking ways to understand it because it can’t fully replace humans.
Each human being has their individual thoughts and creative mindset, which are key skills used in jobs.
The different levels of creativity and thinking that humans produce is something that ChatGPT should support, not replace.
Learning how to use AI can help users gain confidence in knowing how to navigate it and not feel threatened.
At St. John’s University, students learned different ways to manage AI were implemented so that they would feel confident in AI use, not threatened.
