Younger Gen Z employees are helping older, more senior colleagues get to grips with AI in the workplace, new research has revealed, with their combined efforts delivering real improvements in productivity and efficiency.
A study by International Workplace Group found that six out of 10 (62%) Gen Z employees said they were helping to upskill older colleagues to use AI, with nearly three-quarters (72%) saying that this coaching has had a measurable impact on their team's overall productivity. More than half (57%) added that helping senior colleagues to use AI has left more time for executives to focus on strategic priorities.
The research suggests that senior workers agree. Almost three quarters (77%) of the Director-level executives surveyed said Gen Z's experience in AI had boosted their department's productivity and that support from Gen Z in using AI tools lets them focus on higher value tasks. Eight out of 10 (80%) also said AI innovations introduced by younger colleagues had unlocked new business opportunities.
As a result, many Gen Z workers see AI as a way to advance their careers. Eight out of 10 (79%) said that using AI at work was accelerating career progression, while two thirds (67%) said they feared that not being proficient with AI could limit their career prospects. An overwhelming majority – 92% - added that using AI means they now work more efficiently, estimating that they now save an hour a day on average.
The study also suggests that AI is delivering real benefits for hybrid workers. Seve out of 10 of hybrid workers say AI is making it easier to collaborate with colleagues in a hybrid or flexible setting, with improvements in meeting preparation (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and more effective follow-ups (36%), identified as key factors.
AI is also reshaping how office time is used. With automation handling routine work such as summarising meeting notes (46%) and organising documents (38%), hybrid professionals now prioritise strategic and creative thinking (44%), learning and development (44%), face-to-face collaboration (42%), and networking (37%) during in-office days.
Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, said: "The world of work is evolving rapidly. Advances in technology, particularly in AI are boosting productivity, opening up new career opportunities, and connecting different generations of expertise.
These significant AI enabled productivity gains are helping to create more connected, agile teams ready for the future of work. Younger generations are playing a pivotal role by sharing their digital skills with their colleagues, which enhances performance and uncovers new business opportunities."