Gen Z Is Using AI — But That Doesn't Mean They Like It

At a Glance

It is no longer surprising that today's youth are using AI…a lot. About 97% of Gen Z students, ages 14-29, have used one or more AI tools (ScholarshipOwl), with nearly half using generative AI weekly.

Yet, there is significant tension. On the one hand, 77% of Gen Z report a positive career outlook. On the other hand, 59% see AI as a threat to their job prospects (Indeed, Harvard). I think this is something business leaders cannot afford to ignore.

My kids use AI through their own self-learning. With one in college and the other two in high school, they use it primarily for studying, subject-knowledge brainstorming, homework support, and content creation. That doesn't sound much different than other generations.

The distinction is that this generation is very much caught between optimism and anxiety. They know what is coming is inevitable, but they are not happy with where it currently stands. And that may not be a bad thing. It will be up to this generation to define what Responsible AI looks like, while other generations seem to approach AI like a gold rush laced with efficiencies that will propel their current career paths.

The Dual Crisis

They aren't wrong to be concerned. Entry-level openings are down 29% year-on-year, creating genuine challenges for career entry. The current learning environment is an overall ugly one. The skills gap is huge, with 75% of US companies struggling to find qualified workers (JP Morgan Chase, Dec. 2025). If you aren't a maverick and motivated to seek your own learning journey, you probably won't keep up.

While this article focuses on the trade skills gap, human skills among Generation Z are also falling behind, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gen Z has the lowest emotional intelligence of all generations (Kašparová & Linhart, 2023). There is a strong need to develop critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Gen Z knows it. 65% of higher education students believe they know more about AI than their instructors, and 45% wish their professors used and taught AI skills (Cengage Group 2025). As many universities and high schools struggle to integrate AI into the curriculum and move slowly to do so, Gen Z is quite resourceful in finding its own learning paths. According to Deloitte's 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, three-quarters expect generative AI to reshape their work within the next year and are actively preparing through self-directed learning and upskilling outside of their current studies.

The silver lining may be in education and diversified skills.

The Unexpected Solution: Blue-Collar Pivot Meets Data Center Demand

We are seeing an uptick in Generation Z pursuing blue-collar work. Right now, the attraction is stability and the possibility of owning their own business and calendar, and there is a level of defiance in choosing automation-resistant roles.

But here's what makes this trend strategically brilliant rather than simply defiant: the construction industry needs 456,000 new workers by 2027 (Associated Builders and Contractors), and 92% of construction firms report having trouble finding qualified workers. Data center construction spending alone jumped 32% in the first 10 months of 2025. With electrician jobs projected to grow 9.5% and HVAC roles up 8.1%. Both are critical for powering AI infrastructure. Gen Z's shift toward blue-collar work isn't settling. It's perfect timing.

These data centers powering AI require massive electrical capacity and sophisticated cooling systems. They need skilled electricians who can handle high-voltage systems, HVAC technicians who understand industrial-scale cooling, and construction workers who can adhere to exacting specifications. Nearly one in five (20%) of the current construction workforce is over 55 and is now retiring. This means that for every 5 Baby Boomers retiring from trades, only 2 younger workers are entering.

What seems like defiance today may be the saving grace tomorrow if these new and motivated blue-collar workers end up in a world of new energy data centers, the very infrastructure that makes AI possible.

What Business Leaders Must Do Now

The education side is one I am proud that my company, Xebia, has invested in, not because it's a large revenue stream, but because Knowledge Sharing has been a core value for Xebia for over 25 years. Xebia Academy offers a strong curriculum for people and businesses alike. We offer maturity assessments for businesses seeking to understand their current learning journey and chart a path forward. It will take companies like Xebia to work with businesses and universities across the globe to meet the call of the decade ahead. 

As Xebia consults and engineers AI experiences with some of the world's largest brands, we always look beyond the project itself," says Brijesh Kohli, Global Head of Xebia Academy. "We're seeing companies intentionally invest in upskilling their internal teams in ways we haven't witnessed in decades. Without this, they end up outsourcing far more work than they should. The goal is knowledge transfer and team scalability—not just delivery.

But the responsibility extends far beyond any single organization. Business leaders must: 

Invest in dual-skill development. Gen Z needs both AI fluency and human skills—emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability. Companies that develop programs that address both will capture talent that others miss. 

Partner with educational institutions. The gap between what students know and what educators teach is widening. Forward-thinking companies are already embedding themselves in curriculum development, offering real-world AI use cases and mentorship. 

Recognize blue-collar work as strategic talent acquisition. The Gen Z workers entering trades today will build the infrastructure that powers tomorrow's AI economy. Companies with data center operations or significant physical infrastructure needs should be cultivating relationships with trade schools and apprenticeship programs now. 

Here's The Truth

Today's youth aren't passively accepting AI; they are actively wrestling with how and when to use it and, maybe most importantly, how to protect their unique human qualities. I think this could be the most beneficial long-term strategy for this generation and the world. And this world needs to take the time to listen, understand concerns, and share what it knows with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. There is catch-up work we need to do, together. 

From my perspective and personal experience with my children, Gen Z understands both the opportunity and the risk, demonstrating remarkable pragmatism. They need more help. They need formal learning paths, whether they plan to become AI engineers or data center HVAC technicians.  

One of the best parts of Gen Z is that they are not only ready to learn AI but are already thinking beyond it.