Younger employees use AI at work but don’t want to tell their bosses, survey shows

Although many millennials and Generation Z workers use artificial intelligence tools at work, about half are hesitant to admit how much of their work is created by AI, according to an Aug. 5 report from Cox Business.

Workers said they use AI agents to enhance their workplace productivity by summarizing documents or meeting notes, brainstorming ideas or creative content, analyzing data, creating reports and coding or debugging.

“Our survey highlights valuable insights into how organizations can better align with the expectations of their younger employees,” Jeff Breaux, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Cox Communications, said in a news release. 

“This presents a tremendous opportunity for companies and their IT teams to enhance their strategies around tech investment, rollouts, training and policies; ensuring they meet the evolving needs of a workforce that is rapidly becoming the majority,” Breaux said.

In a survey of more than 1,000 Gen Z and millennial workers in the U.S., 47% said they feared that AI could replace their jobs — a top reason they don’t want to disclose their AI use. In addition, 30% said they’re unfamiliar with their company’s AI policy or their company doesn’t have a defined policy. 

More than 60% reported using personal apps or software at work rather than their workplace’s tools, creating a growing “shadow IT” issue that could lead to security risks, the report found.

Nearly 70% of younger workers said they feel overwhelmed by the number of tech tools provided by their workplace. However, only 16% feel they have real influence over tech decisions at work.

In the next three years, Gen Z and millennial workers predict AI tools will replace some job roles but create new opportunities, increase productivity and efficiency, enhance creativity and innovation and improve decision-making and strategic planning. Looking ahead to 2026, Gen Z workers said employers should focus on improving cybersecurity, and millennials said workplaces should focus on workflow optimization. 

In another survey, nearly half of Gen Z workers said their bosses don’t appreciate the benefits of AI tools at work, according to a report from UKG. In addition, 90% said AI will save them time at work, and 70% said they’ve taught themselves most of the AI skills they use for their jobs.