The first generation that grew up with the internet wants everyone to ride their horse. Gen Z is acutely aware of how quickly the latest innovations in technology can spin out of control, and they feel a little nervous when it comes to AI.
A recent survey of 1,180 working adults in the US and 393 executives in the UK by technology education provider General Assembly found that a staggering 62% of them said they expect AI to be The company believes that it has the potential to replace people’s jobs.
It turns out that while the younger, weaker generation is shaking, most CEOs are turning a blind eye. The survey results show that only 6% of executives at the director and vice president level believe AI poses a threat to their jobs.
Generation Z: The anxiety of AI meets the serenity of CEOs
Younger employees are more likely to feel threatened than executives because they have less influence and are less likely to have a seat at the table when it comes to things like layoffs and the impact of AI on the company in general. The past year has proven that many CEOs are willing to use AI as a scapegoat for layoffs. According to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, more than 4,600 jobs were cut in the name of AI in the US from May last year to February this year, but the outplacement company’s senior vice president He told Bloomberg that it was “obviously an undercount.” ”
Gen Z may also be more anxious given that they are in the early stages of their careers. The generally remedial nature of many junior jobs makes this generation more vulnerable to change, according to Lupe Colangelo, Director of Alumni Engagement and Employer Partnerships at the General Assembly. That’s what it means.
“AI can perform many repetitive, low-level tasks that were typically handled by entry-level workers,” she said in a statement to Fortune. “It’s understandable that younger generations are worried about this, while experienced executives and managers bring years of experience and background to the table that, at least for now, AI can’t fully replicate. .”
Nvidia’s billionaire CEO Jensen Huang echoed similar sentiments. When asked at Nvidia’s October AI Summit if he thought AI could replace his job, he said, “Absolutely not.” He suggested that AI could do 20% to 50% of human jobs, and that “someone who uses AI to automate that 20% will take your job.”
Colangelo explained that Gen Z brings a “unique perspective to the workplace that shouldn’t be underestimated,” and that employers are frustrated that this generation lacks soft skills around communication and time management. He added that there is. These soft skills will become even more important as AI automates more independent tasks, she added.
Younger generations tend to be most concerned about the possibility of AI stepping in. According to data sent to Fortune, half of Millennials think there is at least some chance that AI will replace their roles, compared to 44% of Gen Xers and 44% of Baby Boomers. It remains at only 24%.
Even if boomers aren’t worried about themselves, Colangelo believes they have a responsibility to help shape the future. “As AI takes on more entry-level jobs, employers will have a greater responsibility to train the next generation,” she says. “Companies need to give them a path through the door.”
“Employers cannot walk away from an entire generation,” she added, arguing that they need to help them build the skills they want within the current talent pool.
