Gen Z turns against AI, fearing it harms jobs and creativity

Despite being the demographic that utilises artificial intelligence more than any other group, Gen Z is increasingly viewing the technology through a critical lens. According to new reporting from the Financial Times, many young people now characterise AI as being more harmful than helpful, marking a significant shift in sentiment within this cohort.

The core of this growing anxiety centres on two primary concerns. First, there is a pervasive fear that the widespread adoption of AI is weakening future job prospects for young workers. Second, there is a belief that the technology is stifling personal creativity, raising questions about the long-term impact of automated tools on human ingenuity and skill development.

This perspective stands in stark contrast to the broader market narrative, where institutional investors continue to demonstrate strong confidence in the sector. While young users express apprehension, big money institutions have continued heavy buying of AI-related stocks, such as NVIDIA, driven by strong earnings reports and sustained investor demand.

The divergence between user sentiment and institutional behaviour highlights a complex dynamic in the current technology landscape. While the market rewards companies driving AI innovation with significant share price gains, the end-users who interact with these tools daily are becoming increasingly sceptical of their value and safety.

As the technology continues to integrate into the workforce, the gap between financial performance and social perception may present new challenges for tech firms. The reported souring of attitudes among Gen Z suggests that future growth may need to address not just technical capabilities, but also the professional and creative concerns of the next generation of workers.