Stepping into the professional world, you might feel that artificial intelligence (AI) is this mysterious force. You likely have wondered, even privately, if AI is going to put your newly-minted career in check before it really takes off. Turns out, especially for Gen Z using AI at work, it’s more of a partner than a rival.
A Google survey found that 93% of Gen Z knowledge workers use several AI tools each week. These tools become intuitive to integrate into daily task.
Table Of Contents:
- AI’s Role in Shaping Job Opportunities for Gen Z
- Gen Z Using AI at Work: Skills Over Experience
- Concerns and Criticisms of AI in the Workplace
- How Different Industries Use AI
- AI and the Future of Work
- Conclusion
AI’s Role in Shaping Job Opportunities for Gen Z
It’s easy to think that technological advancements will negatively effect jobs. The truth is more nuanced. While McKinsey & Company projects that up to 30% of work hours could be automated by 2030, this shift doesn’t need lead to widespread job loss.
AI is changing the nature of work, but people have options. The World Economic Forum predicts that 23% of global jobs will change in the next five years. Workers can grow through professional developments and trainings.
What Types of Tasks Is AI Handling?
Many people are starting to let AI handle time-consuming work. They are instead using the free time for discussions around strategies, training and development and improving outreach strategies.
Monique Buksh, a 22-year-old law student and paralegal, shared her experience. She said, “With AI handling time-consuming work, I’m able to focus more on discussions around strategy, professional development, and problem-solving with my managers.” This reflects a broader trend where AI takes on routine tasks.
Gen Z Using AI at Work: Skills Over Experience
Companies are starting to value AI skills. Traditional experience is mattering less for companies now.
A Microsoft and LinkedIn survey showed that 71% of leaders would prefer hiring candidates with AI expertise. Almost 80% of leaders would give more responsibilities to staff who are skilled in AI.
Practical Ways To Start Using AI
Gen Z using AI at work, you can leverage several tools. Using those, people will boost the ability to get more customers. Try the tips in this next section to do this at your organization:
- Automate Video Captions: Make your video content accessible by automatically creating subtitles, saving valuable time.
- Meeting Minutes and Tasks: Turn recordings of your online calls and conferences into detailed notes, tasks, and email follow ups for more productivity and documentation.
- Streamlining Global Communication: Use AI chatbots, so your business or group can reach other communities around the world easily with the help of real time interpretation of video conversations.
- Document Interpretation: Convert files for ease. PDF documents may have formatting concerns or security measures that will block certain information from copy/paste transfers. Use OCR technology, or file converters, to make things easier.
Start small with AI tasks. The technology will give time to work on other important business needs.
Concerns and Criticisms of AI in the Workplace
Despite the positives, some have concerns about Gen Z using AI at work. Heavy reliance on AI tools may weaken critical thinking, especially in young people, according to a study.
Researchers at Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University published a recent paper. It found that the more people use and trust AI, the less they rely on critical thinking skills.
Finding a Balance with AI
It is wise to have a balance of the use of the tech and critical thinking.
Nicholas Portello, a Gen Z professional, avoids using AI software because he believes it can negatively affect creativity. He emphasizes, “Some of the best ideas my team and I produced in 2024 can be attributed to brainstorming sessions and environments of open communication as opposed to ChatGPT.”
AI isn’t a full solution.
AI is a tool for supporting human actions. As noted in a recent Indeed survey, 57% of people think that AI can help in decisions. AI will likely never replace people, however.
How Different Industries Use AI
AI is changing jobs. Every business, company and government is adapting.
The technology goes beyond the normal tech company borders, and is entering all professional industries. Learn about some industries incorporating the tech below.
Gen Z and AI Usage Across Knowledge Work Sectors
AI’s reach extends across various knowledge work sectors. Gen Z professionals are discovering different uses and purposes of AI.
| Sector | AI Applications | Impact on Gen Z Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Researching case law, drafting documents, spotting inconsistencies in contracts | Focus on strategy, professional development, and problem-solving |
| HR | Brainstorming ideas, researching subjects, recording and transcribing conversations | Improves focus during discussions, reduces time spent on note-taking |
| Media | Organizing tasks, drafting emails, double-checking spreadsheets | Cuts workload, frees up time for creative jobs |
| Financial Services | Creating plans for financial development, market research. | Efficiency for routine actions; need new skills. |
| Technology | Developing programs and software. Helping with computer development issues. | Time for big ideas; concerns about lacking critical thought. |
| Global Business | Making reports; writing emails; giving answers quickly. | Better global interactions; less repetitive tasks. |
From law practices leveraging AI for efficient case research to media companies using it to streamline content creation. The technology helps by addressing several needs.
AI and the Future of Work
The future seems pretty unknown. Experts see good and bad from it.
Some suggest using tech tools to enhance our work and free up more of our minds to creative. One example includes a possible future use for buying small scale power systems.
The Broader Ethical Considerations
AI’s power extends beyond basic convenience and touches significant world functions.
There’s concern among China’s people as their courts are using AI to decide on justice for certain cases.
This raises important discussions on accountability. This also questions fairness with using the tech tools within society and law.
Conclusion
For Gen Z using AI at work, it creates both opportunities and concerns. AI adoption will require careful evaluation. By acknowledging both AI’s potential and limitations, Gen Zers can use AI technology to their advantage.
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