As Britain's workforce gears up to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, a growing sense of unease is creeping in among Gen Z employees. According to new data from Employment Hero, a staggering 50% of young workers feel guilty about harnessing AI to boost their productivity at work – despite an increasing recognition that AI literacy is crucial for career success.
The global study, The AI Paradox at Work, highlights the widening generational divide in the workplace. While younger employees are proactively developing AI skills to stay ahead of the curve, they often feel uncertain about how to integrate these tools into their daily work without sparking concerns among management. This ambiguity is leading to a worrying trend: four in ten Gen Z workers admit to using AI without their employer's knowledge, with nearly as many presenting AI-generated work as their own.
Employment Hero's research reveals that UK employers are now placing increased emphasis on hiring candidates with AI skills – 'AI literacy' has even entered the top five attributes looked for in job applicants. With 37% of entry-level roles specifying AI knowledge, the pressure is mounting on workers to upskill or risk being left behind. Yet, a sizeable 23% of UK employees worry their current abilities are insufficient to compete in an AI-driven market.