AI Sparks Anxiety Among Gen Z: Survey Reveals Growing Concerns About the Future

A recent survey by recruitment agency Randstad has revealed that Generation Z is increasingly anxious about their future due to the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI). Many young professionals fear that AI and automation will significantly impact their daily work routines.

Survey Highlights
The study involved 27,000 employees and 1,225 employers across 35 countries, analyzing over 3 million job postings to understand workforce trends. Key findings include:

• 4 out of 5 employees believe AI will affect their daily work.
• Companies are increasingly relying on AI chatbots and automation, heightening employee concerns.
• The demand for “AI agents” has surged by 1,587%.
• AI and automation are gradually replacing repetitive tasks, creating uncertainty among workers.

Why Gen Z Is Worried
AI is making its mark across industries, boosting demand for AI-related skills. However, employees whose tasks are being automated feel uncertain about their career prospects. While companies expect long-term gains from AI investments, Gen Z worries that these benefits may not trickle down to the workforce.

Randstad’s Perspective
Sander van ’t Noordende, CEO of Randstad, commented:
“Employees generally show enthusiasm about AI, but there is also skepticism. Companies, as always, aim to reduce costs and optimize workflows.”

The survey concludes that Gen Z is the most concerned generation. While 95% of employers believe AI will grow their business, only 51% of employees share this optimism, highlighting a widening gap between corporate expectations and workforce confidence.

Takeaway
As AI adoption accelerates, the next generation faces both opportunity and uncertainty. Companies and policymakers will need to address these concerns to ensure that technological advancements benefit workers as well as businesses.