A majority of American workers want artificial intelligence to take over repetitive tasks and free up their time for more meaningful work, with Gen Z employees at the forefront of this technological shift. Yet nearly half of them say their bosses don’t grasp the benefits.
That’s according to new national research from HR software firm UKG and market research firm The Harris Poll, which surveyed workers across the United States. It found that 84% of employees want AI to manage workplace processes for them, and 79% believe the technology could allow them to focus on more important or rewarding parts of their jobs.
For Gen Z – defined in the survey as those aged 18 to 28 – the appetite is even stronger. Nine in ten say AI could help them save time at work, with 29% estimating it could save them between 60 and 89 minutes each day.
But 49% of Gen Z workers believe their managers don’t understand how AI can help them, pointing to a potential disconnect between junior employees adopting the tools and the leaders overseeing digital strategy.
Self-Taught Skills and Strategic Potential
The data suggests younger workers are not waiting for formal training. Seven in 10 Gen Z respondents reported teaching themselves most of the AI tools they use at work, compared with 58% of Gen X (ages 45–60) and 40% of Boomers (ages 61–79).
This generational divide extends to perceptions of AI’s usefulness. While 90% of Gen Z employees say AI could free up their time, the view is shared by just 73% of Gen X and 59% of Boomers.
Despite the differences, employees across all generations (89%) said they believe AI should be treated as a tool, not a replacement for human colleagues.
In a UKG study in 2023, only 26% of C-suite leaders said they thought Gen Z had the best understanding of AI in the workplace. The latest results suggest the opposite may be true.
Business Benefits, Missed Opportunities
“Every few decades, breakthrough technology fundamentally changes the way we do everything: from how we live, to the way we work, and beyond,” said Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG. “How productive would we be without electric power, the assembly line or mobile phones? Like those innovations, AI is quickly becoming ubiquitous and indispensable to work, and ignoring it now is like choosing not to use a computer or the internet.”
He added that “Gen Z may be on the leading edge of AI adoption in the workplace, but this technology has the power to transform work for every generation. From simplifying and automating everyday tasks to increasing productivity to unlocking more time for creativity, innovation and personal connection, AI will reshape the employee experience in the years ahead. The sooner organisations act on AI’s potential, the greater competitive advantage they’ll gain.”
Vittal also noted that just two years ago, most employees didn’t know how their company used AI. Now, 39% of employed Americans say they are hopeful about how it can improve their role, a shift that may reflect increased openness and education around the technology.
Support for AI Is Broad – But Trust Is Task-Based
The research found strong support for AI as a way to automate repetitive, data-heavy or error-prone tasks, rather than full roles. More than a third of respondents said AI was suitable for duties that:
- Require little judgment or empathy (35%)
- Are time-consuming (38%)
- Are highly repetitive (49%)
- Involve large amounts of data (42%)
- Are vulnerable to human error (34%)
Workers were also asked about specific areas where they would be comfortable using AI. The top examples were:
- Summarising company policies when staff have questions (83%)
- Creating work schedules based on availability (81%)
- Verifying pay accuracy (78%)
- Checking timecard accuracy (78%)
- Handling time-off and shift-swap requests in real time (74%)
These preferences held across organisations of all sizes, with 88% of workers at small businesses and 85% at large enterprises saying AI is best used to automate tasks rather than replace roles.
Implications for Workplace Wellbeing
The findings highlight how AI may support wellbeing at work, particularly for younger workers, by reducing time spent on low-value admin and enabling more focus on strategic, creative or personally fulfilling tasks.
But the research also reveals a risk, say experts: a lack of understanding or support from leadership could stifle innovation or create barriers for employees seeking to use AI to improve their roles.
AI is no longer an emerging trend but an active part of many employees’ working lives, and Gen Z may be their most valuable asset in leading the transition. Companies that invest in training, transparency and inclusive AI strategies could be better placed to improve both productivity and employee satisfaction.