56 per cent of Gen Z prefers GenAI over managers, finds upGrad Enterprise study

56 per cent of Gen Z prefers GenAI over managers, finds upGrad Enterprise study

Report explores GenAI's transformative role in Gen Z workplaces and organisational challenges

Gen Z

Mumbai: UpGrad Enterprise, the corporate skilling and workforce development arm of India’s largest online skilling platform upGrad, has unveiled a groundbreaking report, The GenAI Gap: GenZ & the Modern Workplace. The study captures how Gen Z professionals are integrating Generative AI (GenAI) into their workflows and outlines opportunities and challenges for organizations in adapting to this shift.

Based on insights from over 3,500 Gen Z professionals and 1,000 HR leaders, the report examines GenAI usage patterns, workplace attitudes, and the growing demand for AI-focused organisational policies and training.

The findings reveal that Gen Z is embracing GenAI at a rapid pace:

1    73 per cent of Gen Z professionals already use GenAI in their daily tasks, with 72 per cent trusting outputs with minimal edits.

2    56 per cent prefer consulting GenAI over their managers, citing constant accessibility and impartiality as key reasons.

3    65 per cent of Gen Z professionals feel optimistic about GenAI’s potential, viewing it as a catalyst for new opportunities, despite job security concerns.

4    54 per cent believe their organization lacks adequate GenAI guidelines, while 52 per cent express dissatisfaction with workplace AI training programs.

5    21 per cent of HR professionals feel comfortable using GenAI for regulatory training, highlighting a need for compliance-focused resources.

upGrad Enterprise, CEO, Srikanth Iyengar emphasised the report’s relevance, “Years of working closely with global organizations have provided us with valuable insights into the challenges faced by both professionals and businesses navigating AI adoption. This report sheds light on Gen Z’s enthusiastic embrace of GenAI and highlights the urgent need for organizations to implement robust policies and targeted training. At upGrad Enterprise, we are committed to equipping professionals with the skills and tools they need to succeed in an AI-powered world.”

The report also reveals Gen Z’s environmental consciousness, with this demographic being three times more concerned about GenAI’s ecological impact compared to organizations. The findings urge companies to address skills gaps and align workplace policies with Gen Z’s aspirations for innovation and efficiency.

The GenAI Gap: GenZ & the Modern Workplace underscores India’s growing adaptability to AI and the unique expectations of Gen Z, a generation that sees technology as a key enabler of streamlined and impactful workflows.

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