Deloitte has just released a survey of Gen Z and Millennials (Gen Y) opinions from 44 countries showing cautious optimism about the future wave of AI.
Deloitte's 13th annual report, compiled on May 15, surveyed more than 22,800 Gen Z and Millennials (Gen Y) from 44 countries, focusing on their attitudes toward work and social issues. One of the prominent topics in this year's report is Generative AI (GenAI) technology and its impact on work and life.
According to the survey, AI is creating both opportunities and challenges for Gen Z and Millennials. Despite the optimistic sentiments, many are still concerned that AI-driven automation will destroy many jobs.
Nearly a third of Gen Z (32%) and Millennials (31%) believe that GenAI will improve the national economic situation in the next year. However, 59% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennials believe automation will eliminate jobs, and this number increases to 71% and 73% among those who regularly use GenAI.
However, those who regularly use AI feel that this technology can improve their work-life balance, as well as the way they work. Up to 80% of Gen Z and 84% of Millennials who regularly use AI believe that this technology will help them have more time and improve work-life balance.
However, the use of GenAI also creates many concerns. Nearly 78% of Gen Z and 79% of Millennials who regularly use GenAI say they need to look for jobs that are less likely to be automated.
In addition, the development of AI also raises concerns about retraining and adaptability. Nearly 60% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials say the spread of AI will require them to retrain and influence their career decisions. About 59% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials reported plans to reskill to adapt to the career impacts of AI.
The survey also shows that, despite positive advances, many people still feel inadequately prepared to deal with the changes brought about by AI. Only about half of Gen Z (51%) and 45% of Millennial respondents feel their employers are providing adequate training on AI knowledge.
Mental health is also a big issue when talking about the impact of GenAI. About 40% of Gen Z and 35% of Millennials feel stressed most or all of the time. Many people believe their employers are focusing on employee mental health, but improvements are still needed to create more supportive work environments. Only about 54% of Gen Z and 55% of Millennials said they feel comfortable talking about mental health issues with their manager.
For Gen Z and Millennials, AI is not just a new technology but also a factor shaping the future of career and life. Employers and businesses that listen and respond to these needs will be able to keep a workforce that is satisfied, productive, flexible and willing to adapt.