Members of Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – are growing more cautious about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in education, where rising use of the technology in schools is being met with skepticism about its effect on learning and academic integrity, according to a new survey from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup.
The survey, released on April 9, finds that while access to AI tools and school policies governing their use are increasing, students are becoming more wary of AI use. Nearly three-quarters of K-12 students (74%) say their schools now have AI policies, up 23 percentage points from last year.
Yet 41% believe most or all of their classmates are using AI for schoolwork, even when they are not supposed to.
That perception of misuse is contributing to broader concerns about learning, the survey finds.
Eight in 10 Gen Z respondents said relying on AI to complete tasks faster will likely make learning more difficult in the future, even as more than half of K-12 students (52%) say they expect to need AI skills for higher education, and 48% anticipate using technology in their careers.
Overall, the findings point to a generation that is increasingly conflicted about AI’s role in education – recognizing its importance while questioning its impact.
Beyond the classroom, sentiment toward AI is shifting more broadly. While 51% of Gen Z respondents report using AI weekly, adoption growth has slowed significantly, increasing by just four percentage points over the past year. At the same time, negative sentiment is rising.
The share of Gen Z respondents expressing anger toward AI climbed to 31%, up from 22% a year earlier, while excitement and hopefulness declined by 14 and nine percentage points, respectively. More than four in 10 young people also report feeling anxious about technology, the survey finds.
Workplace-centric AI concerns were particularly pronounced in the survey. Nearly half of Gen Z workers (48%) now believe the risks of AI outweigh its benefits, even though 56% say technology can help them complete tasks more quickly.
“Gen Z isn’t rejecting AI outright, but they are reassessing its role in their lives,” said Stephanie Marken, senior partner at Gallup. “What we’re seeing in the data is a generation that recognizes AI’s utility but is increasingly concerned about its long-term impact on learning, trust and career readiness.”
Marken added that the shift reflects a need for more careful integration of AI across both education and work environments. “Their growing skepticism signals a need for more thoughtful integration of these tools in both school settings and the workplace,” she said.
The survey also found that Gen Z continues to prefer human interaction over AI in many areas. Fewer than 20% said they would choose AI-powered services for tasks such as tutoring, financial advice, or customer service, underscoring a strong preference for human-led experiences.
The findings are based on a Gallup Panel survey conducted between Feb. 24 and March 4, 2026, of 1,572 people aged 14 to 29 across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
