A study undertaken by International Workplace Group found that 62% of Gen Z employees said they were upskilling older colleagues to use AI to improve productivity and efficiency.

It appears to be working, with 72% of Gen Z employees saying that their coaching has had a measurable impact on the team’s overall productivity and 57% agreeing that senior colleagues using AI has left more time for managers to focus on strategic priorities.

The research suggests that senior workers agree. 77% of Directors and Senior Directors surveyed said Gen Z experience in AI had boosted their department’s productivity while 80% said AI innovations introduced by younger colleagues had unlocked new business opportunities. Three quarters (77%) said that support from Gen Z in using AI tools lets them focus on higher value tasks.

As a result, many Gen Z workers see AI as a way to advance their careers. Four in five (79%) said that using AI at work was accelerating career progression, while two third (67%) said they feared that not being proficient with AI could limit their career prospects. 92% said using AI means they now work more efficiently, estimating that they now save an hour a day on average.

Benefits for hybrid workers

The study also found that 70% of hybrid workers say AI is making it easier to collaborate with colleagues in a hybrid or flexible setting. Improvements in meeting preparation (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and more effective follow-ups (36%), were identified as key drivers for doing so.

In the hybrid model, AI is also reshaping how office time is used. With automation handling routine work such as summarising meeting notes (46%) and organising documents (38%), hybrid professionals now prioritise strategic and creative thinking (44%), learning and development (44%), face-to-face collaboration (42%), and networking (37%) during in-office days.

The study also found that 69% of hybrid workers say AI is making it easier to collaborate with colleagues across locations. Improvements in meeting preparation (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and more effective follow-ups (36%) are streamlining teamwork, while 40% say AI has freed up time to invest in team-building and communication.

Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, said: “The world of work is evolving rapidly. Advances in technology, particularly in AI are boosting productivity, opening up new career opportunities, and connecting different generations of expertise.

“These significant AI enabled productivity gains are helping to create more connected, agile teams ready for the future of work. Younger generations are playing a pivotal role by sharing their digital skills with their colleagues, which enhances performance and uncovers new business opportunities.”

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