Gen Z and AI: A double-edged sword

Gen Z is the first generation to have AI assistants available throughout their education and early career. This creates both unprecedented advantages and concerning dependencies.

The good news: Young professionals are comfortable experimenting with AI in ways older generations aren’t. They use ChatGPT to accelerate learning, analyze problems from multiple angles, and draft initial work they then refine. When done right, this makes them incredibly efficient.

The problem: I’m seeing too many Gen Z candidates arrive at interviews unable to think on their feet. One hiring manager told me about a candidate whose written work was exceptional — sophisticated analysis, clear strategic thinking. But in the interview, they couldn’t explain the reasoning behind their own submission. The work was AI-generated; the understanding wasn’t.

The skill that matters

The Gen Z professionals who will thrive aren’t those who use AI the most. They’re those who know when to use it.

AI is great for: First drafts, brainstorming, researching unfamiliar topics, and organizing information.

AI is terrible for: Replacing critical thinking, making decisions, understanding nuance, building relationships, and developing genuine expertise.

For employers hiring Gen Z: Test real-time thinking without AI access. Ask, “Walk me through how you developed this analysis,” to see if they understand their own work. The best Gen Z hires are honest about what they know and eager to develop genuine expertise.

For Gen Z job seekers: Your AI fluency is an advantage. Don’t waste it by becoming dependent. Use AI as a learning accelerator, but verify and deepen that understanding. Develop your own voice. Be transparent about using AI thoughtfully — that honesty builds trust.

The goal: Use AI to make you more capable, not more dependent.