Gen Z :Tech Savvy Yet Lack AI Literacy

Artificial Intelligence has quickly become a defining tool of generation Z ’s academic and professional lives. From writing essay, making presentation and scheduling meeting young generation are turning to generative AI like ChatGPT, Open AI and Gemini at unprecedented rates. A new Gallup survey released by the Walton Family Foundation which revealed, nearly 47% Genz use AI weekly whereas, 79% has used AI at least for once. In workplaces, agoogle workspace survey revealed, 93% of Genz knowledge workers rely on AI tools for making the reports.

What is AI Literacy?

According to the EDUCAUSE framework, AI literacy in teaching and learning involves understanding the fundamental how AI works critically evaluating the application of AI tools in teaching, scholarship, and the management of educational priorities; and maintaining vigilance in evaluating tools and techniques to protect against bias, misuse, and misapplication of these powerful models.

Last Month Gallup surveyed 3,465 Gen Z workers about their AI usage and found a starling contradiction. Nearly half 47% use generative AI weekly, 41% feel anxious about the technology. This is the generation that grew up with smartphones, yet half of the generation feel anxious to use AI and lack AI literacy in ways that could define their entire careers. This disconnect reveals something crucial about AI's impact on the youngest workforce, being comfortable with technology doesn't automatically translate to being competent with AI.

EY's recent survey reveal a troubling pattern, young generation overestimates their AI Literacy, even those who rated themselves "very knowledgeable" failed to write simple prompts to AI. The confidence gap is dangerous—it creates workers who think they understand AI while lacking the critical evaluation skills to use it effectively.

 This overconfidence manifest in workplace behaviour. Genz think that they know everything about technology, but the truth hits different. Research from Aithor found that almost 80% of Gen Z professionals use AI tools for over half their work tasks a staggering level of dependence for a generation just entering the workforce. More concerning, 38% report being dependent on AI to complete daily tasks, yet many lack the skills to evaluate when AI outputs are wrong or inappropriate.

Genz facing backlash in workforce over AI skills

Despite being the’ technological Nazi ‘companies don’t want to hire Genz due to the gaps in AI literacy and proficiency. this is not the problem of the Genz that they don’t know the proper usage of AI as they are not provided with formal training from institution. Unstop Hiring Kart: Skills & AI Report 2024 revealed that 89% Genz and 68% HR agrees that candidates who have AI training will be paid higher than those who just know how to use the AI .AI is only becoming embedded in future for work, and learning play a crucial role forstudents to navigate it, said Stephanie Marken, senior partner for U.S. research at Gallup. It is important to note that using AI itself is not an issue, but the real concern is whether the users are utilizing effectively or not According to EY survey Genz respond well when to use AI but lack in writing prompts and analysing the content created by the AI. Report further added that Genz are using AI to copy – paste the content rather it should be used to learn the new things. People are not getting rejected

because they are using AI, but because they use it poorly. Resumes, reports, content which are pasted together with AI tools without critical thinking are the biggest red flags.

Journalist & sustainable lifestyle writer, with a focus on law and social issues.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author.