By Jon Kleinman

May 20, 2024 | minute read

In the bustling landscape of modern business, where digital disruption is the new norm and the tides of innovation wait for no one, more and more executives are finding themselves at a pivotal crossroads.

As we’ve discussed previously, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could herald a new era of work, one where humans are liberated from mundane tasks to pursue endeavors that truly inspire and propel society forward.

Yet, according to a recent piece published in Fortune, this tantalizing possibility could come at a high cost for Millenial workers—those born between 1981 and 1996. Despite their two decades of experience in the workplace, Millenials could soon find themselves under siege from a new wave of more junior, digital-savvy Gen Z’ers, who came of age in an area marked by AI expansion and acumen.

In their Fortune op-ed, authors Orianna Rose Royle and Jane Thier posit that employers, increasingly enamored by the potential of AI, are now favoring candidates with AI skills over those with conventional experience. This signals not just a generational shift but a seismic reordering of the talent landscape.

The authors, citing Microsoft and LinkedIn’s recently released 2024 Annual Work Trend Index, suggest this shift isn’t merely a tale of generational prowess but rather a microcosm of human ingenuity intersecting with technological innovation. On that note, research suggests that 85% of Gen Z’ers report using AI at work, compared to 78% of Millennials, 76% of Gen X’ers, and 73% of Baby Boomers.

Speaking to Fortune, Karin Kimbrough, LinkedIn’s chief economist, aptly notes that employees—not their bosses—are driving the integration of AI into their jobs. It’s a democratization of skill, says Ms. Kimbrough, where curiosity and agility trump age or job title.

And while Gen Z may lead the charge, the embrace of AI spans across generations and industries, reshaping not just how we work, but how we perceive work itself. Therefore, a deeper question emerges: can AI revolutionize the essence of humanity? The answer could lie in our ability to reimagine our relationship with technology.

By embracing AI not as a replacement for human ingenuity—nor a magic wand to be waved by one generation of workers alone—we can chart a course toward a future where employees of all generations leverage AI as a catalyst for unbridled human potential.

Consider this: If AI can eliminate mundane, monotonous tasks from our work, what possibilities might that afford us to innovate, mentor, and dream up new, inventive solutions—not just for our careers but also to solve the greatest challenges facing our global society as a whole?

As we stand on the precipice of this AI-enabled future, we would be wise not to lose sight of the big picture by myopically favoring one generation of workers over another simply due to their proximity to emerging technologies. Instead, we can accomplish something much greater by seizing the opportunity to redefine our roles, our industries, and our collective destinies.

The path ahead is uncertain, fraught with challenges and complexities. But therein lies the beauty of human endeavor—the relentless pursuit of progress, the unwavering belief in possibility.