The AI Paradox - Age vs. Authority

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(Video transcript/lightly edited)

The AI paradox, age versus authority. When we think about AI, we tend to think of it as a young person's game. But I want to share with you some data in today's chart of the week that maybe will have you thinking differently about the use of AI. We're going to cover three things. The first is the myth and the generational gaps. Next, this twist that I'm seeing in the corporate ladder, and lastly, a founder gap in the usage of AI.

But let's get started.

I want you guys to lock in to the answer to this question:

If I say, which generation is using AI the most, either occasionally, daily, multiple times a week, which generation is that, Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, or boomers?

You got an answer locked in?

This data is perfectly predictable, right?

Gen Z is at the top of the list. 74% are using AI occasionally or more, and you can see that they are the most likely to use AI. They're also more likely to be pushing back. They're most concerned about losing their job. But the other thing, they're most likely to be using AI for creativity, not just productivity. They are redefining how AI gets used.

Let’s talk about the bottom two numbers — Gen X and Boomers. It’s a pretty dramatic drop in how likely they are to be using AI. But I always say the average is awful. I wondered if it was because of who’s working and who’s not working, and if that could be driving these low adoption numbers across different ages.

Next, let’s talk about this twist, which is what I call the corporate ladder twist. When you look at it by job responsibility, those who are more entry-level and individual contributors, versus team leads and managers, and then executives, directors, SVPs, C-suite - it totally flips these numbers.

You might think entry-level employees, because they’re younger, would be more likely to use it, and that the older you get in seniority, the less often you’d use it. Well, that is not the case.

So when we think about AI usage, let’s not think about it just by age. We need to add a layer of whether you are working or not working. And then, what level do you hold within the organization?

With a leadership role, you’re way more likely to be using it than your entry-level employees.

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Let’s look at the founder gap. You might think that a founder would actually look more like senior leadership within corporate America. That is absolutely not the case. Founders across America today are more likely to be using AI at an entry-level rate. It’s probably because their hair is on fire. They’re running a business, and they haven’t had the opportunity to really dig into AI.

But if you are a business owner or founder, maybe you are using the tools enough. It’s something to ask yourself.

I was shocked by this because I thought it might be closer to the leadership numbers.

So? What? Now what?

There are three things.

First, when it comes to Gen Z, yes, they are using it the most, but it polarizes them, and they have the most angst about it. So you have to understand, in your team, if you have Gen Z employees, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Some will be very gung-ho about it. Others will be terrified to death.

Number two, the leadership opportunity. It blew my mind to see those differences when you looked at job responsibility. So leaders need to not only pave the way for their younger employees and less tenured employees, but they’ve got to have the vision and the training to bring others along with them. You can’t assume that they are actually using AI more than you, because this data shows that they’re not.

Third is the founder opportunity. It’s also very amazing to me that these founders, those who could benefit the most, are the least likely to be using it. So if you happen to be a founder, maybe check out AI and see how it can help your business.

But at the end of the day, we have to understand that AI is not just about older and younger when it comes to usage. It’s way more complex than that. Whether you work or not, whether you’re in a more senior position or a more entry-level position, it is very complex.

So I'll leave you with a question: where is your blind spot with AI on your team? Think about that. Until next time.