Gen Z is still anxiously using AI: Poll
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Gen Zers are apprehensive about artificial intelligence, but they continue to use the tools, according to a Tuesday report from the Walton Family Foundation, GSV Ventures and Gallup.
Why it matters: Students and young professionals may be digital natives, but they still crave clear policies around AI — especially as employers increasingly value experience with the tools.
- "Both at school and in the workplace, Gen Z students and workers whose institutions implement clear AI use policies are notably more likely than their Gen Z peers to use AI on a regular basis," the report said.
By the numbers: The results are based on a web survey of nearly 3,500 13- to 28-year-olds living in the U.S. conducted March 6-13, 2025.
- 52% of Gen Zers said schools should be required to teach students how to leverage AI.
- 49% said they believe AI will harm their critical thinking skills.
- 41% said AI makes them anxious, while 36% said it makes them excited.
What they're saying: "Navigating these concerns will be important to earning Gen Zers' buy-in for school and workplace AI initiatives," the report said.
- When AI policies are unclear, students who want to follow the rules may be "unnecessarily cautious" in avoiding AI, while their peers may be gaining an advantage.
The other side: 72% of Gen Zers agree that AI can help them find information more easily.
- 66% said it can help them work faster, and 53% said it can help them learn faster.
Zoom in: Students in more urban and wealthy communities are more likely to attend schools with AI policies.
- "If artificial intelligence is going to be a 'great equalizer,' ensuring young people in underserved communities have equitable access to and support in learning these technologies will be critical in preparing them, as well as their peers, to join the workforce of the future," the report said.
Go deeper:
Methodology: A Gallup Panel web survey was conducted March 6-13 with a sample of 3,465 13- to 28-year-olds living in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- For the total sample of 3,465 Gen Z respondents, the margin of sampling error is ±2.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add GSV Ventures as an additional partner on the research.
