A recent report from Gallup indicates a growing wave of anger among Generation Z concerning artificial intelligence, yet this discontent has not translated into a cessation of its use. This digital-native generation is experiencing increased disillusionment with AI, though not to the extent of abandoning the technology entirely.
The new Gallup report, published this week, gathered insights from nearly 1,600 individuals aged 14 to 29 across the United States. Its findings suggest that the initial hype surrounding AI is diminishing as the technology becomes more deeply integrated into academic and professional environments. While enthusiasm wanes and resentment builds, many young people still perceive AI as a necessary tool.
Conducted in February and March of this year, Gallup’s survey reveals a significant cooling in Gen Z’s sentiment towards AI compared to last year. Only 18 percent expressed hope for the technology and 22 percent felt excited, marking a decline from 27 percent and 36 percent, respectively. Concurrently, anger has intensified, with 31 percent of respondents reporting feelings of anger about AI, an increase from 22 percent last year. Anxiety levels regarding AI have remained relatively stable at approximately 40 percent.
The perceived balance of using AI for work or school has also shifted considerably. Nearly half of Gen Z workers now believe the risks associated with AI in the workplace outweigh its benefits—an 11-point rise from last year. This perspective persists even as a majority of 56 percent acknowledge that AI tools enhance work efficiency. However, this efficiency comes with a perceived drawback: eight out of ten Gen Z-ers believe that relying on AI to expedite tasks will hinder their learning in the future.
Despite these growing concerns, Gen Z's engagement with AI continues, though Gallup notes that "growth has slowed to a crawl." Slightly over half of Gen Z individuals report using AI at least weekly, an increase of four points from 47 percent last year. Furthermore, about half anticipate needing AI for their higher education pursuits or future careers.
"Gen Z isn’t rejecting AI outright, but they are reassessing its role in their lives," stated Stephanie Marken, senior partner at Gallup. "What we’re seeing in the data is a generation that recognizes AI’s utility but is increasingly concerned about its long-term impact on learning, trust and career readiness."
These findings emerge as AI transitions into a more mature technological phase, presenting clearer implications for a generation navigating a challenging job market characterized by mass layoffs. Simultaneously, educational institutions are striving to adapt to the rapid proliferation of AI, all while public distrust towards the companies developing these technologies continues to grow.
The Editorial Staff at AIChief is a team of professional content writers with extensive experience in AI and marketing. Founded in 2025, AIChief has quickly grown into the largest free AI resource hub in the industry.