"Better Than Friends"... 73% of Generation Z Share Concerns with AI

Most Consultations Are About Job Preparation
"AI Is as Comfortable as People for Sharing Concerns"

Seven out of ten Generation Z job seekers have reportedly shared personal concerns with artificial intelligence (AI) services.

On July 25, the recruitment platform Jinhaksa Catch announced the results of a survey conducted among 1,592 Generation Z job seekers. According to the survey, 86% had experience using AI tools such as ChatGPT. Only 14% had never used AI before.

When asked if they had ever shared their concerns with AI instead of with people, 73% responded that they had. The concerns shared with AI included: 61% (multiple responses) about job preparation, career paths, or changing jobs; 33% about interpersonal relationships; and 32% about emotional states.

When asked which they felt more comfortable sharing concerns with, 32% chose AI. This was a similar level to those who preferred real people (33%). However, the most common response was "it depends on the situation," at 35%. This suggests that while respondents are selecting the most appropriate conversation partner depending on the type of concern, AI is emerging as a major conversation partner on par with humans.

Kim Junghyun, head of Jinhaksa Catch, stated, "Generation Z is using AI not only as an information search tool but also as a source of emotional comfort and counseling. While it can be useful for concerns that require objective solutions, it is important to be careful not to become excessively emotionally dependent on AI."

Meanwhile, among respondents with AI experience, 51% (multiple responses) used AI when writing self-introduction letters or resumes. This was followed by "searching for company or job information" at 48%, and "preparing for interview questions and answers" at 31%. It is notable that AI is being used throughout the entire job preparation process.

As for the roles that AI is expected to replace, 40% selected "search portals." This was followed by "job search partners" at 26%, and "mentors for job preparation, career paths, or changing jobs" at 16%. Additionally, 15% chose "friends to share concerns and counseling with," and 3% selected "romantic partners for emotional exchange."