Millennials pipping digital native Gen Zs to the AI post
Data from the latest Freshworks 2024 Global AI Workplace Report reveals Millennials are embracing and learning about AI tools faster than their Gen Z colleagues. Although Gen Z are digital natives, it’s their older colleagues who are embracing and understanding the tools better, as well as the value it can provide the workplace.
Despite the entirety of Gen Z workers growing up within a comprehensively digital environment, it’s Millennials who currently have a better understanding of the importance of AI in the workplace. Latest findings reveal that 64% of UK Millennials consider AI necessary to business success in 2025 – compared to 59% of Gen Z colleagues. Understanding the importance of AI has translated into better sentiment and higher learning rates amongst Millennial workers compared to Gen Z workers.
Both Millennials and Gen Z are well versed in AI, but it is Millennials who consider themselves more comfortable with using AI – with 74% of the generation - compared to 66% of Gen Z respondents in the UK now comfortable using AI at work, demonstrating their better understanding of the technology in comparison.
When it comes to learning AI, Millennials are also demonstrating greater willingness to improve their knowledge of AI – as 56% Millennial respondents have improved their AI knowledge over the past six months compared to 54% of Gen Z. Furthermore, 10% of Gen Z are uncertain on how AI can support their workload – compared to just 7% of Millennials.
Millennial workers are placing AI tools at the centre of their career plans – with the majority (62%) of respondents confirming they would switch roles for greater AI usage – compared to 44% of Gen Z workers.
The findings so far suggest Millennials are more embracing and intuitive of AI in the workplace, which is likely why 41% of Millennials - compared to 36% of Gen Z workers have received promotions or salary increases due to their AI usage.
Across the board, Gen Z workers are being outpaced by their Millennial colleagues when it comes to AI usage and understanding at work.
A higher proportion of Millennials believe work is now more enjoyable thanks to the support of AI tools, as 48% of the demographic backed this sentiment – compared to 33% Gen Z workers.
Similarly, 38% of Millennials are now more engaged at work compared to 26% of Gen Z workers thanks to AI adoption.
Despite many Millennials not having the same levels of education and early career exposure to technology compared to Gen Z – when it comes to AI, Millennials are driving the AI-first movement forward faster than anyone else.
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