Resume Genius just dropped a new report revealing how deeply Gen Z leans on AI at work — and some sketchy behavior slipping through the cracks.
The survey of 1,000 full-time US Gen Z employees shows AI is everywhere. 60% say it speeds up their work. 56% say it boosts accuracy. Over half use AI to generate ideas, draft emails, analyze data, and even manage meetings.
But it’s not just about productivity. Workers use AI for social stuff too — 57% run work past AI before sending it to managers. 56% ask AI how to talk to bosses or co-workers. More than half rely on AI to handle tough conversations. 
The questionable side? Almost 40% said they’ve automated work without telling managers. 31% admitted to using AI in ways possibly against company rules, like sharing internal data. And 30% generated fake work with AI to look busy.
28% passed AI-generated work off as their own. Among them: 43% got good feedback; 41% would do it again; but 9% got caught.
Men are more likely to submit AI work under the radar (40% vs. 20% women). They’re also more likely to repeat the move.
But AI isn’t all smooth sailing. Nearly half worry about bias in AI decisions. 40% are stressed about keeping up with constantly updating AI tools. About 23% say AI use at work hurts their mental health. Women report more emotional fatigue here than men.
If AI got banned at work, 53% say no big deal — they don’t use it much anyway. But over half would support a ban. Still, 51% would keep using AI after hours anyway. And 33% would keep it going on company devices, ban or not.
Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius:
"For many Gen Z office workers, AI acts as a digital co-pilot that helps them write, plan, and come up with ideas," said Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius. "The danger lies in when that co-pilot takes over and becomes the captain.”
Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius:
"It’s clear that AI is becoming an everyday support system for many Gen Z professionals," added Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius.
"But it’s also becoming their go-to solution when they don’t know what to say or do and how to handle tough situations. The concern is when workers start outsourcing not just tasks, but their judgment, confidence, and even their voice. If we’re not careful, we could see a generation that struggles to make decisions without AI hand-holding.”
