74% of Gen Z Use AI Monthly

What Gen Z’s AI Behavior Reveals About Productivity, Learning, and the Future of Work

January 30, 2026

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Gen Z is adopting AI faster than anyone, but not in the way headlines suggest. They use it mainly for productivity, not companionship, and many are already worried about its effect on thinking and learning.

This edition focuses on what the data actually shows and what it means for how we design AI workflows going forward.

What’s Inside This Newsletter

  • How Gen Z is actually using generative AI

  • What young users fear about AI and learning decline

  • A curated AI task management toolkit 

  • A smart study workflow using AI 

  • Major AI industry moves

  • A quick AI meme

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“The Pace Of Progress In Artificial Intelligence Is Incredibly Fast. It Is Growing At A Pace Close To Exponential”

— Elon Musk

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What’s Inside This Video:

  • Shows how to turn pasted class notes or textbook text into instant flashcards.

  • Demonstrates the AI flashcard generator (“Make Cards with AI” feature).

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Apple acquires Q.ai for $2B to advance AI audio and smart hardware features globally.

Amazon discusses $50B OpenAI investment as AI leader seeks $100B funding and higher valuation.

OpenAI removes GPT-4o and older ChatGPT models as GPT-5.2 becomes the primary user choice platform-wide.

OpenAI’s Sora video app sees sharp download and spending declines after early viral launch momentum fades. 

 SpaceX reportedly considers merging with Tesla or xAI before planned public offering.

Laughter Moment 😆 

A new survey highlighted by Harvard Business Review shows Gen Z is racing ahead with generative AI, but not in the way many expect. Instead of treating AI like a friend or therapist, most young adults use it as a productivity engine for search, writing, and work tasks. At the same time, they’re uneasy about the tradeoffs. 

The result is a generation that is both highly active with AI and deeply conflicted about what it may cost them long term.

  • Nearly three in four Gen Z adults use AI chatbots monthly

  • Top uses are search help, work tasks, and writing, not companionship

  • Many admit to using AI even when told not to at work or school

  • Major fears: AI may make people lazier and less intelligent

  • Top concerns include reduced critical thinking and less learning by doing

  • Fewer worry about AI being wrong than about losing human skills

  • Some see upsides when AI is used for step-by-step learning and skill building

  • Experts say banning AI at work is unrealistic, and guided use works better

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P.S. The most important AI shift right now is how people are using it, not just how it’s built. Expect more data-backed insights ahead. See you in the next edition. 

Forward this to someone tracking AI shifts, too; they’ll thank you.

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