Why it's up to Gen Z to lead the AI movement — especially at work

Everyone knows that the youngest employees are typically the most comfortable with new tech, including artificial intelligence. But it may come as a shock just how much less knowledgeable older generations are. 

According to a recent survey conducted by a B2B outreach company Sopro, 93% of younger individuals between the ages of 16 to 29 have heard of AI, and 78% said they can explain it in some or complete detail. In contrast, 43% of people at least 70 years old had either never heard of AI or could not explain what it is at all. 

"Younger generations are more accustomed to using technology because it's what they have grown up with — they have never known the world in any other way," says Rob Harlow, chief innovation officer at Sopro. "And although technology can be difficult for everyone, older generations frequently find it considerably more daunting." 

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Unlike their younger colleagues, members of Gen X or baby boomers are more hesitant to embrace rapidly changing technological advancements, much of which has to do with a lack of familiarity and knowledge. According to Sopro's findings, younger people show higher engagement with AI technologies, with over two-fifths using AI chatbots in the past month. As for the older workers, fewer than one in 10 of those aged 70 and older had used this same technology, and that's taking a toll on businesses. 

"The technological generation gap can have significant implications, ranging from communication and collaboration issues to variations in work culture and productivity," Harlow says. "The number of jobs requiring digital access and skills is also increasing rapidly as the world grows more reliant on digital technologies. The lack of these skills among older generations can create a barrier to these job roles and the often higher income they offer."

It will be up to employers to address the growing skills gap by providing things like opportunities for training and advancement to individuals at all career stages and ages. Gen Z talent will also have to play a huge role in keeping older generations tech savvy, according to Harlow, and their efforts should be met with an open mind. 

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"Younger generations have the ability to teach their colleagues new skills, approaches, and any ideas that they can bring to the workplace," Harlow says. "Being willing to listen, and learn from colleagues from a range of generations will help us develop better collaboration in a multi-generational workforce. While younger generations are likely to have greater confidence in their understanding of current trends or recent technology developments, older generations also have an abundance of skills and experience to draw from."

AI has the potential to provide better medical diagnostics, improved accessibility, virtual mentors and role models, as well as enhanced learning opportunities. For employers, ensuring that their workforce is on the same page when it comes to new tech will be critical to the development of AI in the future as well as all of the benefits it could bring. 

"The majority of us are uncomfortable with the unknown," Harlow says. "But with more experience and understanding AI becomes less scary [and] young people are in a unique position to shape the best future for artificial intelligence development, which means there's a significant opportunity for companies to leverage the power of the younger generation to shape how this technology is used and developed."