Gen Z and AI
A Data-Driven Analysis of Adoption, Boundaries, and Future Implications
By Shifa Ali
Introduction
This global report looks at how Generation Z interacts with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Gen Z, typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, is the first generation to grow up with AI in their everyday lives, giving them a unique view on how technology is changing the world.
At Wiingy, we conducted a survey, to understand how Gen Z interacts with AI, from everyday use of tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to trusting AI with personal aspects like mood tracking and mental health resources, exploring their relationships with AI, and examining the depth of their reliance on it.
1,532
Gen Z Respondents
412
Reddit Threads
4+
Countries Surveyed
The survey examines the depth of Gen Z's reliance on AI, surveying 1,532 Gen Z respondents (ages 18–26) between March and May, 2025.
The respondents hailed from four distinct countries, with 63% from the US, 26% from the UK, 6% from Australia, 4% from Germany and 1% from others.
The study combines survey data with insights from 412 Reddit threads (r/GenZ, r/AI, r/AskReddit, r/technology, r/psychology) from Jan –July 2025 to explore AI's impact on learning, careers, and daily life.
72% of Gen Z Can't Go a Week Without AI
Gen Z's Dependence on AI: A New Normal
When asked about their usage of AI products, over half of Gen Z (54%) shared that they use AI multiple times a day, highlighting a deep reliance on these technologies in their daily lives.
However, AI usage among Gen Z varies in frequency. Around 15% of respondents engage with AI a few times a week, indicating that while it's not a daily habit, it still plays a regular role in their lives.
A smaller group (3%) reports using AI just once a week.
Another 11% use AI only occasionally, describing their interaction with the technology as less frequent but still valuable.
17% of Gen Z respondents say they never use AI at all, suggesting that while most of the generation is actively engaging with AI, there remains a segment that hasn't fully embraced it.
The fact that 72% (54% Daily, 15% Few times a week, 3% once a week) of Gen Z can't go a week without AI speaks to the extent to which this technology has become embedded in their lives.
75% of Gen Z Feel Connected to AI at a Personal Level
Gen Z's New Love Language: Speaking Fluent Algorithm
This data shows that 75% (41% in a relationship, 20% as an acquaintance, 10% complicated, 4% bestie) of Gen Z feels a personal connection to AI, embracing it as something more than just a tool, more like a companion or partner in their daily lives. For them, AI is less of a lifeless tool and more of an entity that exists in their world, a silent but present companion.
The concept of a virtual companion or mentor isn't foreign to them; it's almost expected. The line between human and machine is increasingly blurred, and to them, this isn't dystopian, it's just how things are done.
68% of Gen Z Trust AI to Track Their Moods, and 63% Trust It Over Humans for Mental Health Support
Gen Z blends AI with wellness: Key tool in mental health
When asked if Gen-Z would let AI track their moods, 68% of them expressed openness to the idea. They are open to let AI monitor their sleep cycles, moods, stress levels and workouts.
Also, when asked if they trust AI generated mental health resources, Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (63%) mentions they turn to AI-generated mental health resources at least sometimes. This breaks down to 22% who completely trust AI for mental health guidance, plus another 41% who find AI "sometimes" helpful for their emotional needs. Only 37% avoid AI mental health resources entirely.
This data reveals that Gen Z is pioneering a new approach to mental wellness. They're not just comfortable with AI watching their mental state - they're actively using AI as part of their mental health toolkit.
Personal Connections Shape the Value System for 83% of Gen Z
Gen Z's Ethics: Home-Grown, Not Tech-Programmed
When asked about the sources that shape their values, a significant 57% of Gen Z respondents cited family as the primary source.
15% of Gen Z reported that they primarily influence themselves, reflecting a strong focus on independence and self-definition.
14% cited social media as their primary source of influence followed by 11% who credit teachers as the main source of influence.
While digital platforms and AI tools play an essential role in daily life, they have a relatively minor impact when it comes to shaping Gen Z's core values.
Only 3% of respondents credit AI tools for shaping their values, a stark contrast to the influence of family, friends, and personal reflection.
Gen Z is often portrayed as a generation whose values are shaped by social media and digital platforms.
However, survey data reveals a very different story: their deepest influences remain personal and human.
AI may assist in practical tasks, but it has not replaced the role of human connection in guiding their moral compass.
85% of Gen Z Said That AI May Govern Better Than the Current Government
Gen Z's Political Revolution: Silicon Over Senate
When asked if AI could govern better than the current government, 85% of Gen Z's are in favor with a surprising 55% strongly supporting the idea and 30% open to the concept.
15% of respondents disagreed, expressing concerns over AI's ability to navigate the complexities of societal governance.
This overwhelming trust in AI marks a significant shift in how Gen Z views technology, with many seeing it as a powerful tool for efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
Yet, the 15% who are against the idea point to key challenges, ethical dilemmas, privacy concerns, and the need for human empathy in leadership.
The findings offer a fascinating glimpse into Gen Z's evolving relationship with technology, presenting an opportunity to explore why such a large portion of this generation is willing to trust AI with such a critical role, while others remain cautious.
Understanding these mixed opinions could shape the future of AI's role in governance, blending technology with human leadership for a better tomorrow.
76% of Gen-Z Respondents Believe AI Won't Replace Traditional Jobs in the Future
To Gen-Z AI is the Future of Work, not the End of Jobs
When asked if AI will replace traditional jobs in the future, 60% of respondents said no, while 16% had mixed feelings. Only 24% expected widespread displacement.
Gen Z's responses reveal a paradoxical boundary in their relationship with AI: they are willing to imagine machines in the halls of power, but not in their own workplaces.
Gen Z perceives AI as a tool of transformation, not annihilation, within the labor market.
82% of Gen Z Open to the Idea of AI as Their Tutor
What Millennials Called Cheating, Gen Z Calls a Tutor
For Millennials, using the internet or a tool to 'do the work for you' was often branded as a shortcut, or worse, cheating. But for Gen Z, AI is not a hack; it's the tutor of choice.
When asked to rate their comfort level with AI being their tutor on a scale of 1 to 5, 59% (rating 4 and 5) GenZs believe that AI can be their tutor, and 23% (rating 3) are open to the idea.
18% (rating 1 and 2) of the respondents were skeptical about the concept of AI being their tutor.
The Shift:
• For Millennials, AI is academic dishonesty. For Gen Z, it's academic efficiency.
• Millennials relied on teachers for guidance. Gen Z relies on algorithms.
• What was once a workaround is now the main road.
Gen Z is signaling a seismic shift: they don't care if wisdom comes from a teacher or a chatbot, so long as it comes now. Where Millennials drew moral lines, Gen Z draws practical ones.
The authority of the human tutor is being rewritten, not through rebellion, but through preference.
62% Gen Z Uses AI to Say What They Already Think But Better
What Professors Called Fraud, Gen Z Calls AI Partnership
When asked what topics AI makes easiest to learn, 62% of respondents pointed to writing and communication skills.
20% said AI helps them with with Mathematics and Science, showing that it is valued as a quick explainer for complex concepts.
(10%) of people turn to AI to help them learn new languages
A small number of respondents mentioned creative fields (5%) and history/social sciences (3%).
90% of Gen Z Claim ChatGPT Is the Best Tool to Improve Their Grades
ChatGPT is revolutionizing learning, far beyond other tools
The margin of dominance is striking. Nearly 9 out of 10 students cite ChatGPT as the platform most responsible for their academic improvement. All other platforms combined? Barely 10%.
No other tool crosses even the 5% threshold, with Perplexity (3%) and OneNote (2%) trailing far behind. Traditional study aids like Quizlet, once a staple, barely register at 1%.
The survey results clearly demonstrate ChatGPT's overwhelming dominance as the go-to tool for academic improvement among Gen Z students.
While traditional study aids like Quizlet are still in use, their influence is minimal compared to the advancements that AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT offer.
Conclusion
The survey highlights the deep integration of AI in Gen Z's daily lives, with the technology playing a central role in their academic success, communication, and decision-making. AI is not just a tool, but a key infrastructure that shapes their routines and perspectives on governance.
However, Gen Z's trust in AI is not unconditional. While they rely on AI for tasks like studying and writing, their confidence wanes when it comes to areas requiring emotional depth, empathy, and moral reasoning.
These insights suggest a future where humans and machines coexist, with AI enhancing education, work, and social life but never fully replacing human connection. The importance of human dignity, empathy, and trust will always limit AI's reach.
Methodology
This study draws upon a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative data from the primary survey and qualitative data from Reddit queries.
Primary Data:
A structured online survey was administered to 1,532 Gen Z respondents between March and May 2025.
The survey was posted on online survey platforms such as SurveyCircle and SurveySwap to ensure sample diversity across gender, geography, and educational background.
Additionally, the survey was shared with Wiingy's student and tutor community, specifically within the desired age group, to further enhance its representativeness.
Secondary Data:
To supplement the survey findings, qualitative content was analyzed from Reddit discussions, specifically within communities where Gen Z frequently engages in conversations about work, technology, culture, and identity.
We scraped the data from over 42 Reddit threads, which were closely related to the original survey questions. Over 3000 comments from these threads were analyzed to add to the insights about each aspect of Gen Z's relationship with AI.
The insights were gathered from the Reddit communities:
r/GenZ
r/selfimprovement
r/AskSocialScience
r/technology
r/stupidquestions
r/Teachers
r/getdisciplined
r/productivity
The combination of quantitative survey responses and qualitative social data provides both statistical reliability and contextual depth, offering a comprehensive perspective on the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Gen Z.
About the Author
Shifa Ali
Content & Research Lead at Wiingy
Shifa holds a triple major in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics, and she's deeply immersed in the world of data analysis and trend tracking. When she's not working with numbers, she's often reviewing movies and sharing her thoughts with a sharp eye for detail.
She's passionate about traveling, running, and swimming. In her downtime, Shifa enjoys listening to classic rock and exploring indie music, always on the lookout for hidden gems.
About Wiingy
Wiingy is a top-rated tutoring marketplace that connects school students, college students, and young adults with over 4,500 expert-vetted tutors for 350+ subjects including coding, math, science, computer science, AP, test-prep, language learning and music.
We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality education possible. We vet each tutor meticulously. Our tutors are highly qualified and experienced, and most importantly they are passionate about helping students learn. Students and parents have continuously rated the teaching experience as 4.8/5 and above.
In addition to our paid lessons, we also offer a number of free resources, including web tutorials, practice problems, and study guides. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality education, regardless of their financial situation.
Since our inception, we have helped over 20,000 students across 50+ countries reach their learning goals. Find out more at Wiingy.com.