Gen Z uses AI the most but trusts it the least, Glassdoor study finds

AI adoption surges, but trust declines

A Glassdoor study analyzing employee reviews found that mentions of AI jumped 240% between May 2025 and May 2026. However, the tone of these mentions has shifted sharply. In 2019, 81% of reviews discussing AI were positive; by 2026, that figure had fallen to 43%. Meanwhile, 53% of reviews now frame AI as a drawback.

The decline in positivity is most pronounced among Gen Z workers. While Gen X employees were the most positive about AI, with 47% of comments framed favorably, Gen Z trailed at 33%. Millennials were in between, with 40% of their AI-related comments being positive.

Gen Z’s skepticism: career growth vs. AI

The study highlights a generational divide in how AI is perceived. For Gen Z, AI tools often replace tasks that provide early-career employees with foundational experience, such as basic research, customer support, and content creation. This raises concerns about whether AI is helping them build careers or eliminating the steps needed to gain expertise.

Stanford-linked research supports these concerns. It found that employment among 22- to 25-year-olds in occupations highly exposed to AI was 19% lower than in less-exposed roles. For junior employees, AI may feel less like a productivity tool and more like a barrier to skill development.

Glassdoor’s data also revealed a gender gap within Gen Z. While 42% of AI-related comments from Gen Z men were positive, only 21% of comments from Gen Z women shared the same sentiment.

Beyond job security: broader workplace concerns

Skepticism about AI among Gen Z extends beyond fears of job displacement. Employees cited forced AI adoption, workplace surveillance, and unrealistic productivity expectations as key concerns. Some also worried that AI tools distract companies from their core objectives.

For employers, this skepticism presents a challenge. While rolling out AI tools is straightforward, addressing their impact on job roles, training employees effectively, and ensuring these tools do not become a "productivity whip" requires more deliberate effort. The study suggests that if companies fail to manage these concerns, Gen Z could become the biggest critics of AI despite being its most active users.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Gen Z’s skepticism toward AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about job security, career progression, and trust in employers. For founders and operators, this signals a need to rethink how AI is introduced in the workplace. Simply deploying AI tools without addressing their impact on entry-level roles risks demotivating junior employees, who may see these tools as replacing the very tasks that help them learn and grow.

The generational gap in AI perception also underscores the importance of tailored communication. While experienced employees may view AI as a helpful assistant, younger workers are more likely to see it as a threat. Companies that invest in training, mentorship, and clear career pathways alongside AI adoption will be better positioned to retain Gen Z talent.

Additionally, the disparity in sentiment between Gen Z men and women suggests that broader workplace dynamics—such as inclusion and equity—may influence how AI is perceived. Employers must consider these factors to ensure AI adoption doesn’t inadvertently widen existing gaps.

Key takeaways

• Founders and employers must address Gen Z’s skepticism toward AI by clarifying how these tools integrate into career development rather than replace foundational tasks.
• Companies adopting AI for entry-level roles risk alienating junior employees if they do not provide alternative pathways for skill-building and progression.
• The generational divide in AI perception signals a need for tailored communication and training programs to align expectations across age groups.
• Negative sentiment around AI adoption—such as workplace surveillance and unrealistic productivity expectations—highlights operational risks for employers scaling these tools.