Gen Z Professionals Embrace GenAI Over Managers for Workplace Guidance, Reveals upGrad Enterprise Study

GenZ professionals trust tech to bypass judgemental bias of their bosses

A recent survey reveals that over half of Gen Z professionals prefer Generative AI to their managers for workplace guidance, valuing its constant availability, privacy, and non-judgmental feedback. While enthusiastic about GenAI's potential, they also express concerns about intellectual property infringement and privacy breaches, highlighting a need for organizational training and clear guidelines.In a telling sign of workplace transformation, more than half (56%) of GenZ professionals now choose Generative AI (GenAI) over their managers for guidance, valuing its 24/7 availability, privacy, and judgment-free responses. This trust in technology was found in a survey of 3,512 GenZ professionals and 1,128 HR experts by upGrad's corporate skilling and workplace development division upGrad Enterprise. The finding points to a generational shift in workplace dynamics, raising critical questions about leadership adaptability and communication in the age of AI. The report, Generation GenAI Gap: GenZ & The Modern Workplace, revealed that more than half of GenZ employees turn to GenAI for quick answers, task simplification and personalised assistance. "The perception of being evaluated often makes GenZ hesitant to approach managers or peers. With GenAI, there's no judgment -- just answers. It offers options, not dictation, which is incredibly liberating for this generation," elaborates Srikanth Iyengar, chief executive of upGrad Enterprise, on the reasons for the shift. Interestingly, nearly half (49%) of respondents also value the privacy GenAI provides, particularly for sensitive or complex workplace issues. The preference for AI over human guidance may reflect an evolving professional culture where immediacy and autonomy take precedence over traditional hierarchies. The findings also reveal an increasing reliance on GenAI. Nearly three in four (73%) GenZ professionals already use it at work and (72%) report minimal edits to GenAI-generated outputs, (75%) believing GPT solutions to be sufficient. More than half of them (55%) say GenAI will play a central or supportive role in their jobs over the next 5 years. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by caution, with about a quarter (24%) of respondents admitting to hiding their GenAI use from colleagues to avoid judgment. Iyengar said, "There's cautious optimism among GenZ -- while they embrace the technology, they're mindful of its implications and wary of its perception among peers." Despite their enthusiasm, GenZ employees are acutely aware of GenAI's risks. Intellectual property infringement (43%), privacy breaches (38%), and cybersecurity (36%) top their concerns. Yet, the report highlights a mismatch between these worries and organisational mitigation efforts, with cybersecurity (31%) and privacy breaches (29%) receiving more focus than IP issues (22%). Iyengar emphasises the urgency for a balanced approach. "Organisations must bridge this gap with robust education, clear guardrails, and consistent training. Leadership teams often lag in understanding GenZ's expectations, creating a disconnect that must be addressed proactively." This disconnect extends to workplace policies, with 54% of GenZ respondents finding GenAI guidelines scattered and inadequate, and 52% reporting infrequent or unclear training updates. HR experts face their own challenges, with nearly half expressing hesitancy about deploying GenAI for high-stakes responsibilities like compliance training. Iyengar underscores the need for a cross-functional strategy, "It's not just an HR or tech decision. Leaders, HR teams, and external experts must collaborate to build an AI-driven workplace culture while addressing fears of the unknown with education and transparency."

'56% of Gen Z professionals prefer consulting GenAI over their managers' reveals upGrad Enterprise Report

A comprehensive study reveals GenZ's enthusiasm for GenAI, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in adapting to an AI-driven professional landscape. upGrad Enterprise - the corporate skilling and workforce development division of online skilling giant upGrad, has unveiled an extensive study titled 'The GenAI Gap: GenZ & the Modern Workplace'. This study explores how GenZ professionals are adopting Generative AI (GenAI) in the workplace and the implications for organizations. Based on insights from over 3,500 GenZ professionals across diverse backgrounds and more than 1,000 HR leaders, the report examines GenZ's usage patterns, attitudes, and expectations surrounding GenAI. It also highlights the role of organizations in cultivating a GenAI-friendly mindset among their workforces. The findings reveal that GenZ professionals are optimistic and forward-thinking when it comes to GenAI. 1 in 2 GenZs believe that GenAI will play a supportive, if not central role in their careers over the next 5 years. Adoption rates are high, with 73% of GenZ already integrating GenAI into their daily tasks with 72% relying on GenAI-produced outputs with minimal edits -- clear evidence that this generation sees GenAI as an integral part of their daily workflows. Interestingly, GenZ demonstrates greater environmental consciousness, being three times more concerned about GenAI's ecological impact compared to organizations. Some of the other key findings include: ● Despite some concerns over job security - 65% of GenZ respondents reported feeling neutral to optimistic about GenAI, while 77% see the technology as a harbinger of new professional possibilities. ● Interestingly, 56% of Gen Z respondents prefer consulting GenAI over their managers, due to its constant accessibility and perceived impartiality. ● 54% of Gen Z respondents believe their current organisational guidelines on GenAI are inadequate, revealing a need for companies to establish clearer AI policies and comprehensive training. ● 52% of GenZ respondents acknowledge a lack of clarity around their workplace GenAI training programs, with some highlighting that updates are rare or nonexistent -- emphasizing the widespread inaccessibility of upskilling opportunities in today's workplaces. ● Only 21% of HR professionals feel comfortable relying on GenAI for regulatory training, highlighting the need for compliance-focused resources. Commenting on the trends and the need to draw such a report, Srikanth Iyengar, CEO of upGrad Enterprise, said, "Years of close collaboration with global organisations and GCCs have given us unique insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by professionals and even companies who are planning their growth strategies. Therefore, we have leveraged our expertise to design this report, offering an in-depth look into the current landscape - highlighting not only how GenZ is embracing AI but also the urgent need for organizations to establish supportive policies and implement targeted training. upGrad Enterprise is committed to equipping the corporate ecosystem globally with real skills and tool capabilities that will add real value to both their careers and business success in an AI-powered world." The report arrives after upGrad Enterprise released its extensive take on realities and concerns of Sales professionals, further revealing some stark findings highlighting the skills gap. The current edition adds another dimension, bringing a new group of professionals to the forefront and reflecting India's growing adaptability to AI, alongside the broader aspirations of GenZ professionals who view GenAI as a pathway to innovative and efficient workflows. Access the complete report here: https://www.figma.com/proto/8D89EoVpct0rqMZvXadNTd/uGE-Insight-Report -- The-GenAI-Gap?page-id=0%3A1&node-id=1-2&node-type=frame&viewport=792%2C347%2C0.05&t=udSrXxTkSNxRQtp5-1&scaling=contain&content-scaling=fixed (PDF attached as well) About upGrad Enterprise upGrad Enterprise, the Corporate Skilling and Development division of upGrad -- Asia's leading integrated skilling and workforce development company with over 10 million learners enrolled to date -- creates impact at scale through its world-class learning programs and tailor-made training solutions. upGrad Enterprise partners with mid and large organisations to equip their workforce with market-ready skills and mindsets that drive success. With a network of 3000 corporate partners and an impressive 90%+ training completion rate, upGrad Enterprise excels in delivering tailored skilling programs in high-demand fields such as AI and technology. Our offerings include corporate upskilling, government projects, and a train-and-deploy model for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) of leading and Fortune 500 brands, strengthening organizational leadership with new-age skill sets as they spread their footprint across Indian metropolitan cities. These solutions span the employee lifecycle to facilitate digital and business transformation in alignment with organizational goals, leading to capability building and value generation. A two-gold Awards recipient at the Brandon Hall, upGrad Enterprise trained over 600,000 professionals in a single year during FY24. For more details, please visit: https://www.upgrad-enterprise.com/ ***