52% of US GenZ Workers Worry about AI Taking Away Jobs

According to a recently conducted survey, Gen Z employees show the highest apprehension towards AI, with 52% expressing concern about potential job displacement due to better AI proficiency. The findings also indicate a notable interest in the increased consumption of generative AI tools, with 60% of respondents expressing a desire to use them more frequently within the next year.

Interestingly, approximately half of the participants already incorporate generative AI tools into their work routine, while 37% never use them. The survey was conducted among 3,000 full-time and part-time U.S. employees, shedding light on the use and perceptions of generative AI in the workplace. It was conducted by D2L, an online learning platform for schools and companies.

Key findings

Despite the growing enthusiasm for generative AI, concerns about job security are also heightening, especially among younger generations. The survey disclosed that 43% of workers across all age groups worry about being replaced by someone with superior generative AI skills in the coming year. 

Gen Z employees show the highest apprehension, with 52% expressing concern about potential job displacement due to better AI proficiency. In contrast, Gen X workers appear less alarmed, with only 33% expressing similar fears.

Meanwhile, a majority (56%) believe that individuals using generative AI tools for more effective work should receive a higher salary. This aligns with the notion that AI proficiency contributes to enhanced job performance and merits financial recognition.

Further differentiating generational attitudes, the survey indicates that younger workers, particularly from Gen Z and millennials, express a greater inclination towards professional development. Approximately 26% of Gen Z and 24% of Millennials plan to enroll in six to ten professional development courses within the next year. In contrast, only 12% of Gen X respondents share the same intent.

The survey proves the growing desire to embrace generative AI tools in the workplace, with a major portion of employees already integrating them into their daily tasks. However, it also highlights nuanced concerns among younger workers about potential job displacement due to AI advancements, alongside a consensus on the need for increased compensation for those proficient in using generative AI tools. Additionally, the generational divide becomes apparent in attitudes towards professional development, emphasizing the evolving landscape of workplace skills and priorities.