Generation Z not only uses ChatGPT as a practical tool, but surprisingly treats the AI politely. A study shows that many young people fear that ChatGPT or similar AI systems could become their bosses in the future.
Which study is being referenced? In spring 2025, a study (via EduBirdie) was published, surveying 2,000 Generation Z individuals from the USA. The study aimed to understand better how Gen Z uses artificial intelligence in their daily lives. It found that 69% of them consciously say “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT. Many of them fear that artificial intelligence could replace their bosses in the future and want to get on its good side now.
This attitude gains even more significance when considering the recent statement by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. At the end of April, he stated that the constant politeness phrases with ChatGPT incur significant costs for the company.
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Fear of the Future Drives Kindness
What leads to this politeness? The politeness primarily stems from the fear of job loss. 55% of respondents believe that AI will take over their jobs within the next ten years. Therefore, 10% of Gen Z wish for their boss to eventually be a virtual agent. In this sense, politeness is a form of future-proofing; they don’t want to anger AI in case it takes over power in the workplace.
As various cases show, Gen Z’s fear of AI in the workplace is not unfounded. More and more companies are relying on AI and thus cutting jobs. According to a statistic (via AIRPM), 37% of companies have already replaced tasks with artificial intelligence. An example is the tech giant IBM, which has already replaced about 200 positions in human resources with AI. According to reports (via Cio), the role of “HR Business Partner” has been almost completely eliminated.
How is AI used in daily work life? But AI is mainly a practical helper in the daily work life for the younger generation. 62% regularly use AI tools like ChatGPT to carry out tasks such as writing emails or responding to messages. At the same time, 40% of Gen Z worry and consider changing their profession to avoid being displaced by automation.
The Humanity Behind Artificial Intelligence
Why is ChatGPT seen as a “better” boss? According to the study, many young people even see AI as “more human” than many human bosses. They often perceive traditional leaders as stressed, toxic, or unfair, while AI is seen as a neutral, respectful, and potentially fairer boss. Of course, AI currently lacks empathy, ethics, and creative thinking that characterize human leadership, but the hope for a more objective leadership relationship is palpable.
This role AI plays in private life: Beyond work, ChatGPT also plays an emotional role for people. The study shows that 26% consider AI a friend, 16% see it as a kind of therapist, and 12% even as a fitness coach. ChatGPT is also used for personal matters, such as formulating apologies or breakup letters.
What risks does the use of AI entail? Despite the advantages, there are also risks associated with heavy AI usage. 21% of respondents reported having shared sensitive company data with AI tools, often without being aware of security aspects. Furthermore, only 31% of users always check the AI’s answers for accuracy, which can lead to misinformation.
A growing trend in the tech industry clearly shows the direction things are heading: companies like Microsoft and Meta are actively working to integrate AI into software development. This not only optimizes processes but also increasingly replaces human developers. Kevin Scott predicts that by 2030, about 95% of the code will be written by AI, Zuckerberg sees it similarly.
