A survey from AIResumeBuilder.com has suggested that 66 per cent of Gen Z workers use AI chatbots on the job – and for many, it’s reducing their workload. Among Gen Zers using AI at work, 29 per cent say they’re now working fewer total hours each week due to the productivity boost these tools provide.
The survey, which polled 1,882 full-time US workers ages 18 to 28, reveals that Gen Z is using AI for a wide range of tasks. Top uses include brainstorming (64 per cent), analysing data (61 per cent), writing emails (54 per cent), scheduling and planning (48 per cent), writing content (48 per cent), interpreting messages (47 per cent), resolving workplace conflict (32 per cent), and even coding (29 per cent).
For those working fewer hours, the amount of time saved varies: 32 per cent have reduced their workload by 1 to 3 hours per week, 35 per cent by 4 to 6 hours, and 17 per cent by 7 to 10 hours. Some are cutting back even more significantly: 7 per cent by 11 to 20 hours and 9 per cent by more than 20 hours a week.
Gen Z workers are spending that extra time in a variety of ways: relaxing, watching TV, sleeping, hanging out with friends and family, pursuing creative hobbies, exercising, or taking on side hustles. A few even use it to refine their AI skills and automate additional tasks.
Despite how widespread AI use is, many Gen Z workers aren’t open about it. Four in 10 say they’ve intentionally hidden how quickly they completed tasks with AI, often because they want full credit (39 per cent) or fear disapproval from their manager (35 per cent). Over half (52 per cent) say they’d be concerned if their employer tracked their AI use.
“Many Gen Z workers hide their AI use due to fear of disapproval, being tasked with extra work, or skepticism about AI’s legitimacy. This signals a distrust in corporate culture and a desire to protect their autonomy,” says Rachel Serwetz, career advisor at AI Resume Builder.
