Gen Z is quietly rewriting the rules of the workplace by letting AI run meetings. An October study by Software Finder, a software discovery platform and database, found that 3 in 10 survey respondents admitted to missing a meeting because they relied on AI to “get on their side” by taking notes.
The survey also found that 19% of full-time worker respondents use AI tools to automatically create meeting notes. This strategy has been successful for some people. Research shows that employees who regularly use AI to take meeting notes are 28% more likely to be promoted and earn nearly $20,000 more annually, compared to 15% of employees who don't.
But the tool doesn't seem to be working that well. Among those who skipped meetings and relied on AI note-taking, 41% said they missed important context within the meeting that was not recognized by the software.
While some employees across all groups reported using AI to take notes, this habit was most common among hybrid workers, with 26% saying they use technology frequently. Meanwhile, only 21% of remote workers and 13% of in-person employees use the tool. Technology and software employees are most likely to use AI frequently, with 32% of respondents saying they do, while government employees have the lowest reported usage rate, at just 12%.
From a business perspective, the situation is multi-layered. According to a study by TechBullion, a financial technology media company, companies that implement AI note-taking solutions report regaining an average of five hours per week that professionals previously spent documenting manually (approximately 250 hours per employee per year). Researchers found that meeting attendance metrics also improved. When note-taking is offloaded to AI, meeting attendee engagement (asking questions and participating in discussions) increases by 40%, accelerating decision-making cycles.
Extensive research shows that younger workers are adopting AI in unprecedented numbers, with 93% of Gen Z workers reporting using two or more AI tools each week, according to a 2024 Google Workspace study.
But along with the gains, there are also growing concerns. Many people worry that the very tools that are enhancing their careers today may undermine their job security tomorrow. Last year's D2L survey found that 52% of Gen Z respondents expressed concern about being replaced by people with more advanced AI skills, compared to just 33% of Gen X employees. Additionally, a 2024 Deutsche Bank survey found that 24% of workers aged 18 to 34 rated their fear of unemployment at 8 or higher out of 10, compared to just 10% of workers aged 55 and older. Their bosses seem to agree. Business leaders recognize Gen Z as the second most vulnerable generation to job loss due to AI, after Millennials.
After all, while these young professionals enjoy the benefits of increased visibility, higher pay, and smoother workflows, they also admit to feeling anxious about how automation will affect their long-term career value and job security.
