Generation Z Struggles to Converse Without AI
Rehearsing Conversations With Chatbots Before Meetings... Rising Communication Anxiety
"Genuine Conversation, the Rarest Skill in the Age of AI"
A recent survey has revealed that nearly half of young professionals in the United Kingdom find it difficult to converse with colleagues without the help of artificial intelligence (AI). As remote work and reliance on AI become more prevalent, concerns are growing that "real conversations" are disappearing.
On October 20 (local time), the Daily Mail in the UK reported survey results indicating that nearly half of Generation Z workers in the country are afraid to speak with colleagues without AI assistance.
According to the report, young people aged 16 to 28 in the UK are using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to practice conversations or refine their sentences before attending meetings or networking events.
In the survey conducted by the global job platform Nova, which targeted 1,000 Generation Z workers across England, Scotland, and Wales, 45% of respondents said they regularly use AI to prepare for workplace conversations. Additionally, 40% stated that AI makes them feel more confident, while only 25% said it was not helpful.
The survey also revealed a clear gender difference. While men used AI more frequently than women, 52% of female respondents reported relying on AI when composing emails or work-related messages. Since the spread of remote work, 40% of young professionals said they use AI as a "safety net" in case they run out of topics to discuss.
"Afraid of Face-to-Face Interaction"... AI Dependency Rises Amid Generation Z's Communication Anxiety
The survey found that more than one-third (about 35%) of Generation Z workers memorize "ice-breaking jokes" prepared by AI before attending meetings. Furthermore, 33% of respondents said they rehearse "virtual conversations" with chatbots to gauge potential reactions before actual encounters.
As for the reasons behind this reliance on AI, 60% of respondents said it allows them to avoid direct face-to-face situations. Twenty-nine percent answered that they feel anxious about small talk in real-life settings, and one in four respondents said they do not feel confident preparing for meetings or conversations without AI.
Andrea Marino, co-founder and CEO of Nova, stated, "The COVID-19 pandemic, remote work, and the spread of AI have completely changed the way young generations communicate." She added, "While we are more connected online than ever before, our confidence in real-life situations has significantly declined." She further commented, "In an age of constant connectivity, 'real conversation' has become the rarest skill, and those who possess it will ultimately outpace AI."
Susie Ashfield, a UK speech expert and author, emphasized that "confidence in communication is not innate but built through experience." She warned, "The more you hide behind a screen, the less capable you are of expressing yourself clearly." She advised, "Pick up the phone, attend meetings, and initiate conversations in person. Ultimately, those who can speak confidently in real-life situations will stand out."
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