Deloitte has once again released its annual report surveying young people to understand how they are coping with economic and social change and exploring their attitudes to the workplace and the world around them.
The report includes responses from 22,800 Gen Z and Millennial participants from 44 countries.
This year, the consultancy dedicated a chapter to generative AI. They began by asking both generations what emotions these technologies evoke.
Uncertainty was the most common answer, cited by 24% of Gen Z and 26% of millennials. But it's not just about doubt and fear, it's also about curiosity. The most frequently mentioned feelings were excitement (22% and 23% respectively) and fascination (22% and 21% respectively). Surprise was mentioned by 19% of participants from both generations, and confidence by 18%.
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The positive perception of this technology increases with practical experience. About a quarter of Gen Z (26%) and Millennials (22%) who use GenAI at work all or most of the time report excitement and confidence in the technology and experience these emotions to a greater extent than respondents overall.
In terms of practical benefits, the vast majority of Gen Z and Millennials who frequently use generative AI believe it can save them more time and improve their work.
However, the increasing use of these technologies is also a cause for concern. Six out of ten Gen Z and Millennials believe that AI-driven automation will lead to job losses, and seven out of ten of those who use these technologies frequently.
Frequent users are also more likely to believe that they will have to look for jobs that are less susceptible to automation and that younger generations will struggle to enter the job market due to generative AI, as the technology can automate many functions.
On the other hand, both generations are considering how to adapt. Nearly six in ten members of Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (57%) say the spread of generative AI will require retraining and impact their career decisions.
Another finding of the study is that many Gen Z (51%) and Millennials (45%) believe their employers need to provide more training to help them understand the benefits and values of generative AI.
Many young people have already been exposed to these technologies as part of their professional development or expect to be soon. 17% of Gen Z and 16% of Millennials say they have completed their education. In comparison, only 13% of the workforce has completed AI-related training in the last year, according to Deloitte's other report on human capital trends.
Women and AI
The study also reveals some gender differences. Women express more uncertainty about generative AI than men. The feeling of uncertainty is highest among both generations (28%, compared to 20% among Gen Z men and 24% among Millennial men).
Women also feel less comfortable working with generative AI systems and tools than men (54% for Gen Z women and 52% for Millennial women, compared to 63% for Gen Z men and 62% for Millennial men).
The study also shows that women are less likely to pursue education in generative AI (28% and 27% for women, compared to 24% and 23% for Gen Z and Millennial men, respectively).
