New tech, old problems: Gen Z pays the price for broken education and job markets

Young adults aren’t just worried about AI—they’re actively losing faith in it. Recent polls show Gen Z’s positive view of artificial intelligence has dropped sharply in the past year, with only 22% feeling excited. Daily use makes things worse: those interacting with AI daily saw even bigger drops in optimism. Surprisingly, many still believe the tech could help them financially, but something deeper is broken. Trust matters more than tools. School missed a critical moment. As AI became essential for jobs, colleges did the opposite—banning or discouraging its use. Students say their schools failed to prepare them for a workplace where AI literacy is now a basic requirement. Surveys show 63% of faculty admit graduates aren’t ready. Meanwhile, employers demand those skills immediately. The gap is glaring, and Gen Z knows it.The job market isn’t recovering either. College grads face rising unemployment and underemployment, with more than 40% stuck in jobs that don’t match their education. Companies adopting AI aren’t firing workers—they’re simply not hiring rookies. A study found junior positions dropped nearly 8% in two years. Entry-level jobs aren’t just missing; they’re disappearing quietly. Some young workers aren’t staying silent. Nearly half admit to slowing down AI adoption at their companies. It’s not about fear—it’s about self-preservation. Hiring managers admit using AI as an excuse to cut roles or freeze hiring. The real reasons? Economic caution and cost-cutting. AI makes for a convenient cover. Government help? Almost none. No federal plan exists to retrain workers or update education for AI. Instead, policymakers focus on other battles. Students are changing majors on their own, scrambling to find stability. Whether schools adapt, employers change course, or leaders step in will decide if this uncertainty becomes permanent.