Study: Two-thirds of Generation Z employees train their older colleagues on the use of artificial intelligence

SadaNews - A new study conducted by IWG, a provider of flexible work solutions, revealed that Generation Z employees play a pivotal role in adopting artificial intelligence among employees and teams.

According to the study, Generation Z employees are training their older colleagues on how to use these solutions to help achieve gains in productivity and collaboration in flexible work environments.

The study, which was based on a survey of over 2000 professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom, found that AI solutions have become a cornerstone of office work, especially for teams following flexible work models.

The study indicated that 80% of employees are experimenting with AI tools in their work, and 78% reported that it has saved them an average of 55 minutes per day, equivalent to an additional full day of work each week.

Employees noted that they have allocated that time to higher-value activities such as creative or strategic work (41%), learning and development (41%), direct personal collaboration (40%), and communication and relationship-building at work (35%).

The vast majority (86%) confirmed that AI has helped them complete tasks more efficiently, and 76% stated that it has directly contributed to advancing their careers, with this percentage rising to 87% among Generation Z employees.

Intergenerational collaboration is key to achieving AI benefits

Intergenerational collaboration in the workplace is crucial in this transformation, as the study noted that nearly two-thirds (59%) of younger employees assist their older and more experienced colleagues in adopting and learning to use AI tools.

The study found that 80% of senior management indicated that such support allows them to focus on higher-value tasks, while 82% of senior managers said that AI innovations introduced by younger colleagues have created new opportunities at work.

C-suite leaders stated that younger employees' skills in AI have improved their departments' productivity, with over 80% of senior managers believing that AI innovations brought by new colleagues have opened up avenues for new business opportunities.

Additionally, 86% of survey respondents reported that AI has made them more efficient, and 76% believe it significantly advances their career paths, rising to 87% among Generation Z respondents.

The impact of AI on collaboration is also evident, with 69% of flexible workers stating that it facilitates teamwork across different locations, pointing to benefits such as better meeting preparations (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and improved follow-up after meetings (36%).

Employees are adopting AI tools to eliminate time-consuming administrative tasks.

The most common areas where employees wish for AI intervention include drafting emails (43%), taking meeting notes (42%), organizing files (36%), and completing data entry or forms (36%).

With the automation of these tasks, employees are reallocating their time to more important work: 55% now focus on high-impact projects, 54% seek professional development, and 40% use the time to build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients or for personal purposes.

Benefits for flexible workers

In the flexible work model, AI is also reshaping how office time is utilized.

With the automation of routine tasks, employees prioritize strategic thinking and face-to-face collaboration during office workdays.

More than half of employees (53%) say AI helps them achieve better outcomes, and 64% believe it makes flexible work smoother and more efficient.

Employees are also aware of the risks, as two-thirds of them (63%) feel concerned that not learning AI tools could slow their career progress, while 61% believe that those who do not adopt AI risk falling behind.

However, the prevailing trend is toward comprehensive and collaborative upskilling: 51% of employees say AI helps bridge the gaps between generations, and over half regularly share knowledge about AI with their colleagues, rising to 66% among those aged 25-34.