Young People Turn Away from AI: Growing Skepticism

Growing Disillusionment with Artificial Intelligence

According to a recent survey conducted by Gallup, enthusiasm among young people aged 14 to 29 for artificial intelligence has significantly decreased. Over the course of a year, this enthusiasm has dropped by 14 points, while feelings of anger have increased by 9 points. In February and March 2026, Gallup surveyed this generation, often seen as naturally in tune with digital technologies. The survey reveals that 31% of respondents now feel anger towards AI, a notable increase from the 22% recorded the previous year. Furthermore, only 22% of young people still express enthusiasm for AI, down from 36% in 2025.

Nearly half of young workers, or 48%, believe that the risks associated with the use of AI in the workplace outweigh its benefits, representing an 11-point increase from the previous year. Additionally, a large majority, 80% of participants, feel that the acceleration of work due to AI could complicate long-term learning.

Continued Use Despite Reluctance

Despite these mixed feelings, the use of AI remains widespread among young people. More than half of respondents report using AI on a weekly basis. Although the growth of this usage has nearly stagnated, with only a four-point increase over the year, a massive abandonment of the technology has not been observed. Stephanie Marken, a senior associate at Gallup, emphasizes that Generation Z is not entirely rejecting AI but is reevaluating its role, particularly regarding its long-term impact on learning, trust, and professional preparedness.

Distrust in Schools and Its Consequences

In the educational environment, distrust towards AI is intensifying. Among high school students surveyed, 41% believe that most or all of their peers use AI for their homework, often in violation of established rules. Highly publicized legal cases involving major tech companies have raised public awareness about the potential dangers of AI on the mental health of young people.

In response to this situation, educational institutions have reacted: 74% of them have now implemented rules regarding the use of AI in schoolwork, an increase of 23 points from the previous year. However, these measures are not enough to alleviate students' concerns. In fact, the more specific the rules become, the more widespread the perception of cheating grows. Students who adhere to the guidelines feel a sense of injustice towards those who cheat, which undermines group cohesion and the sense of community that a classroom should embody.

AI: An Indispensable but Limited Tool

When asked about their preferences for tutoring, financial advice, or customer service, less than 20% of young people aged 14 to 29 choose AI. Moreover, 46% of young people are concerned about the impact of AI on their careers, a figure that has risen compared to the previous year, even though this age group is the one that uses these tools the most in a professional context. Gallup describes this situation as the "AI Paradox."

Young people continue to use a tool they distrust, partly due to a lack of credible alternatives in a job market marked by waves of layoffs in the tech sector. 52% of high school students feel they need AI for their higher education, and 48% for their future careers. However, when it comes to real learning, advice, or listening, they still turn to humans. While they recognize the importance of developing AI skills to succeed, they prefer human intervention for tasks that require a high relational value.