By India McCarty
AI use might be on the rise, but a new survey shows Gen Z isn’t exactly excited about implementing the tech in their lives.
“AI is only becoming more embedded in the future of work and learning,” Stephanie Marken, senior partner for U.S. research at Gallup, said of their recent study, but that doesn’t mean young people are happy about it.
Gallup found Gen Zers are, overall, uncertain about using AI, with 53% of those surveyed saying AI makes them feel “anxious.” Twenty-eight percent said AI made them feel “angry.”
“Gen Z, they don’t trust the government, they don’t trust big tech companies, they don’t trust the news,” Zach Hrynowski, author of the Gallup report, told The Verge. “They haven’t gotten to a point where they feel like the benefits [of using AI] outweigh the risks.”
Despite their negative feelings about AI, Gen Z knows that they will have to use it in their daily lives. Around 44% of those surveyed admitted that they know they will need to use it in their future, whether it’s at school or work.
“This survey data is a wake-up call. Gen Z is already living in an AI-powered world, but the systems meant to prepare them — schools and employers — have work to do to catch up,” Jason Horne, Partner and Co-President at GSV, said of the survey’s results. “We have a responsibility to turn their anxiety into agency, with real training, clear policies and opportunities to lead in this new era.”
Young people agree; over half of respondents said they think schools should be required to teach AI skills, while 28% said their schools explicitly allow students to use the technology for assignments.
“When high schools provide opportunities to build and practice life and career skills Gen Z is all in,” Romy Drucker, Education Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation, said. “The more we can do to realize their vision for K-12 education, the better our system will be.”
How does #GenZ feel about #AI? In partnership with @Gallup, we surveyed young people to understand how they use AI and where they need support. How can teachers and employers equip Gen Z with the skills to navigate a tech-driven future?
Read the report: https://t.co/3okQM7dgZi pic.twitter.com/uPCsDHdEBz
Related: AI Use on the Rise Among U.S. Adults, Study Finds
— Walton Foundation (@WaltonFamilyFdn) April 8, 2025
Some schools are even starting programs specifically designed to educate people about AI. The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School recently announced a new MBA major and undergraduate concentration in AI.
“We are at a critical turning point where practical AI knowledge is urgently needed,” Eric Bradlow, the vice dean of AI and Analytics at Wharton, said of the new MBA program, via Business Insider.
Gen Z might not be happy about implementing AI in their daily lives, but they understand it will happen, no matter what. Now, it’s time for schools to catch up and start preparing young people to use the technology.
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