Younger workers fear AI more than older employees, survey reveals

Younger employees are significantly more apprehensive about artificial intelligence's impact on their careers than their older counterparts, a recent survey indicates. Generation Z workers, in particular, show the most skepticism, with only one-third expressing positive views on AI in the workplace, according to an analysis by Glassdoor.

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This was surprising, because generally we expect younger workers to be more comfortable and optimistic about technology.

This finding surprised Glassdoor senior economist Chris Martin, who noted, "generally we expect younger workers to be more comfortable and optimistic about technology." Martin suggests that Gen Z's negative outlook stems from anxieties about AI hindering their job and career progression. "There is a growing body of evidence that AI is displacing entry-level jobs that are more exposed to AI," he stated. "The coming years are going to be more difficult for them because AI is changing the way they work, and they may not have access to jobs that workers did 20 years ago."

Many employees voiced concerns about being replaced by AI or expressed frustration with being compelled to use AI tools in their daily tasks. Some also felt their companies were prioritizing AI development over core business functions. A smaller group criticized employers for using AI in communications with staff or for surveillance purposes.

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There is a growing body of evidence that AI is displacing entry-level jobs that are more exposed to AI.

In contrast, older workers, often in more senior positions, tend to see AI, including large language models, as a beneficial supplement to their work. Martin explained that they perceive greater advantages from AI, recognizing that its potential for errors or fabricated information requires oversight from experienced individuals. "An expert worker can easily identify and discard those mistakes, whereas a younger or less-experienced worker may have a harder time telling legitimate facts from hallucinations," he added.

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The coming years are going to be more difficult for them because AI is changing the way they work, and they may not have access to jobs that workers did 20 years ago.

Gender also plays a role in attitudes toward AI. Female employees generally reported more negative sentiments. Only 21% of Gen Z women viewed the technology positively, compared to 42% of Gen Z men. Further research from LinkedIn highlights that the growth of AI-driven jobs is exacerbating the existing gender gap within the tech industry, with women being underrepresented in new AI-related hires.

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They see more benefits from AI.