Gallup survey finds Gen Z uses AI often but many feel anxious

In short: Gen Z uses AI tools a lot, but many still feel anxious about it, especially older Gen Z adults, according to a Gallup survey.

What's going on

A Gallup survey released April 8, 2025, by the Walton Family Foundation and GSV Ventures found that 79% of Gen Z ages 13 to 28 have used AI tools. Nearly half, 47%, said they use generative AI weekly. Generative AI is the kind that writes, summarizes, or creates images from prompts (like giving a very fast helper a set of instructions).

The survey found mixed emotions. Overall, 41% said AI makes them feel anxious, while 36% said excited, 27% hopeful, and 22% angry. That does not match a simple story that young people are becoming less hopeful and more angry about AI.

Age and experience mattered. Among Gen Z adults ages 18 and up, 53% reported anxiety, compared with 21% of school-aged Gen Z. People who had never used AI reported the highest anxiety at 55% and the lowest excitement at 10%. Even among daily users, 29% still said they feel anxious.

The survey also points to a lack of guidance. Students at schools that allow AI were more likely to say they feel ready for life after graduation, 57% versus 32%. In the workplace, many young adults said they do not get enough training, and about one-third said AI risks outweigh the benefits.

What to watch

A key question is whether schools and employers will set clearer rules and offer practical training, so AI feels more like a calculator in a math class and less like a mystery tool people are expected to figure out alone.

Source: NYTimes