3 in 10 Gen Zers Work Fewer Hours Thanks to AI; Most Spend Extra Time Binging TV or Relaxing

In June, AI Resume Builder surveyed 1,882 full-time Gen Z workers to gain insight into how they use AI chatbots and what it means for productivity, accountability, and work-life balance.

• 66% of Gen Zers are using AI chatbots at work
• 3 in 10 Gen Z AI chatbot users are working fewer hours due to the productivity boost from AI tools
• 4 in 10 have purposefully hidden their AI use from their manager
• 52% say they’d be concerned if their employer tracked their AI use
• 42% say they’d likely be less successful at their job without AI assistance

3 in 10 Gen Z AI Users Leverage It To Work Fewer Hours

Among those who use AI chatbots on the job, 64% say they rely on them for brainstorming and idea generation. Another 61% use them to analyze data, and 54% to write emails. AI is also frequently used for scheduling and planning (48%), writing content (48%), and interpreting messages or perspectives (47%). A notable 32% even use AI to help resolve workplace conflicts, while 29% use it for coding.

Gen Z workers aren’t just using AI to work smarter. Many are using it to work less. While some Gen Zers have taken on more work due to AI’s productivity boost, 29% say that due to AI, they are working fewer total hours during the week. Among this group, 32% say they’ve cut one to three hours from their weekly workload. Another 35% say they’re working four to six fewer hours, and 17% have reduced their hours by seven to 10. Seven percent report cutting back by 11 to 20 hours, and 9% have trimmed more than 20 hours off their week.

In addition to saving time, 42% of Gen Z AI users say they wouldn’t be as successful at their jobs without it.

Gen Zers are reclaiming hours for personal use

With the time AI frees up for them, Gen Z workers relax, watch TV, or hang out with family and friends. Others spend it playing video games, catching up on sleep, or working on creative hobbies like writing or music. Some use the time more strategically, taking on side hustles, working out, or reskilling through online courses. A few use it to double down on AI, refine prompts, or automate more tasks.

AI Resume Builder’s Career Advisor Rachel Serwetz says it shouldn’t be frowned upon for Gen Zers, or any employee, to use AI to accomplish tasks smarter or faster. However, she notes that going above and beyond assigned tasks is typically something only highly motivated or ambitious employees do — those who are genuinely engaged, interested in growth, or eager to advance in their careers.

More Than Half Would Fear Consequences if Their AI Use Was Tracked

While 57% of Gen Z workers say their manager is very aware of how much they use AI, 35% admit their manager is somewhat aware, and 6% say their manager has no idea.

More than half (56%) believe using AI to reduce their working hours without telling their employer is ethical. Just 28% disagree, while 16% remain unsure. But despite that confidence, many don’t want a spotlight on their behavior. Over half (52%) say they’d be concerned if their employer tracked their AI use.

4 in 10 have intentionally hidden AI use from their manager

Plenty are already keeping their AI habits under wraps. Four in 10 Gen Z workers (39%) admit they’ve intentionally hidden how quickly or easily they completed a task using AI. The top reason? They want full credit (39%). Others fear their manager would disapprove (35%) or worry it would lead to more work (34%). Some say it didn’t seem worth mentioning (31%), while 27% didn’t want coworkers copying their approach.

“Many Gen Z workers hide their AI use due to fear of disapproval, being tasked with extra work, or skepticism about AI’s legitimacy. This signals a distrust in corporate culture and a desire to protect their autonomy,” says Serwetz. “Gen Zers value work-life balance, and until clear and supportive AI policies exist, they will likely continue to conceal their AI use.”

Methodology

This survey launched in June 2025 and was commissioned by AIResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the polling platform Pollfish. Overall, 1,882 full-time U.S. workers ages 18-28 completed the full survey.