From the printing press to the smartphone, some of the most powerful technologies invented by human beings have brought people together. At the same time, technology also has the power to divide. Today, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm, generating both hope and concern, especially among employees, regarding adoption, change and learning opportunities. In fact, 33% of workers expect increased adoption of AI and automation to have a significant impact on their career within the next three years, highlighting how closely technological change is now linked to individual employability and future prospects.
This article discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce, and how the shift is impacting certain generations more than others. We’re exploring the emerging HR trends essential for understanding how generative AI is transforming the workplace.
How do employees perceive AI at work?
AI adoption is reshaping the modern workplace. As the Gi Group Holding report “The Generational Equation” demonstrates, perceptions of AI vary across generations, including Gen Z, Gen Y (Millennials), Gen X and Baby Boomers. Globally, 51% of employees see artificial intelligence as an opportunity, while 17% perceive it primarily as a threat. However, these views are unevenly distributed by age: 55% of Gen Z employees view AI as beneficial, compared with just 43% of Baby Boomers, revealing how experience, confidence and expectations shape attitudes towards change.
How does AI usage and workplace pressure differ across generations?
There is also a clear usage gap. According to research from Gi Group Holding, nearly half of workers (49%) already use generative AI tools for their work, either frequently (33%) or occasionally (16%). However, adoption differs significantly across age groups, with nearly 60% of Gen Z employees using AI frequently or occasionally, compared with 39% of Baby Boomers.
These differences reflect how age cohorts experience workplace change. Younger employees aged 18 to 35 report higher pressure to upskill quickly, with 38% feeling an urgent need to adapt. By contrast, 59% of workers aged 55 to 64 find adapting to new technologies challenging, often due to differences in access to learning opportunities and organisational support.
How do learning expectations differ across generations?
Differences in adoption extend to learning expectations. Gen Z and Millennials increasingly seek agile, personalised development paths and non-linear careers, viewing training not as a one-off event but as a continuous process that evolves alongside their roles. This reinforces the need for learning models that are embedded in work and adaptable over time, rather than fixed or purely formal.
How do stereotypes influence inclusion in AI adoption?
Perceptions around age and technology continue to shape the experience of AI adoption. Despite the growing need for new skills, 67% of respondents believe that older colleagues are not keen on using technology. These assumptions risk reinforcing stereotypes rather than addressing real barriers such as access to training, confidence and inclusive learning design. The data highlights the importance of multi-generational strategies that enable collaboration and shared progress.
How can organisations navigate AI adoption across generations?
As AI continues to reshape the world of work, its impact cannot be understood through technology alone. Adoption, confidence and expectations vary significantly across generations, shaping how people experience change, opportunity and risk in the workplace.
Addressing these differences requires more than technical enablement. It calls for approaches that recognise diverse starting points, support continuous learning and encourage collaboration across age groups. When organisations create the conditions for shared understanding and inclusive growth, AI can move beyond being a source of division and instead become a driver of connection — strengthening employability, fostering resilience and supporting a more adaptive workforce for the future.