Gen Z sees biggest AI potential in education, survey finds

A new study commissioned by TELUS has found that Generation Z in Canada and the United States identifies education as the area where artificial intelligence holds the greatest potential, highlighting opportunities such as personalised tutoring and adaptive instruction.

The survey, conducted by Leger, included responses from 5,487 Canadians-of which 1,010 were Gen Z respondents-and 6,109 Americans, with 715 Gen Z participants. The findings indicate that 46% of Canadian and 45% of American Gen Z respondents are optimistic about using AI in education, marking a notable difference from older generations. For comparison, only 32% of Canadian and 34% of American baby boomers expressed belief in AI's role for education, revealing a generational divide of 11 to 13 percentage points in attitudes towards educational technology adoption.

Gen Z perspectives

Gen Z-the demographic cohort aged approximately 12 to 27 according to the survey's method-demonstrated strong enthusiasm for AI in educational contexts. Survey responses suggest a majority of this generation sees promise in the technology's ability to facilitate improved accessibility and create customised learning paths. When compared with other age groups, Gen Z is more likely to advocate for AI's implementation in classrooms.

"Gen Z brings a unique and valuable perspective to AI development, and it's crucial that we actively involve them in shaping its future," said Pam Snively, Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS. "Generative AI presents tremendous opportunities to enhance the learning experience for students, but it also challenges us to evolve our teaching approaches. As AI becomes a more powerful tool in education, we'll see human skills like relationship-building, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving become even more essential, so that we can harness AI's potential while preserving what makes us uniquely human."

Alongside supporting educational use, Gen Z participants reported high engagement with AI: 90% of Canadian and 92% of American respondents from this age group had used AI in the past year. Weekly use for personal activities reached 64% in Canada and 74% in the United States, and 40% of Canadians and 45% of Americans in Gen Z stated that they engage with AI tools daily.

Broader adoption and confidence

Gen Z's familiarity with AI tools appears to be associated with higher confidence in their ability to identify AI-powered products and explain their respective benefits and limitations. Over half-51% of Canadians and 58% of Americans-said they could identify AI tools, while 56% of Canadians and 61% of Americans indicated they could explain both benefits and limitations. The research also found that 65% of Canadian and 69% of American Gen Z respondents believe AI can improve the overall quality of life, with 39% of Canadians highlighting AI's potential to enhance accessibility and inclusion.

Concerns remain

Despite their engagement, Gen Z also voiced concerns regarding the societal impact of AI. Nine out of ten Canadian and 85% of American Gen Z respondents reported unease about AI's broader societal effects. Job displacement through automation was a concern for 48% of Canadian and 44% of American participants, while 47% of Canadians and 44% of Americans were wary of over-reliance on AI systems. Data privacy was highlighted by 45% of Canadians and 47% of Americans as a key issue.

Notwithstanding these concerns, a majority within Gen Z stated that the advantages of AI outweigh the potential risks, with 56% of Canadians and 61% of Americans expressing this view. Levels of trust in companies deploying AI technologies were reported as 46% among Canadian Gen Z and 54% amongst their American counterparts.

Data literacy and engagement

TELUS pointed to the importance of educating young people on responsible AI practices, referencing its TELUS Wise programme, which offers a Responsible AI workshop designed specifically for teens. This initiative aims to help young users build digital literacy and critical thinking skills relevant to AI, supporting the development of responsible digital citizens.

The company's annual AI Report provides further analysis and perspectives regarding the progress of AI technology, with an emphasis on its social impact and usage among younger demographics.

The findings suggest that as Gen Z moves into positions of greater influence as employees, consumers, and voters, their familiarity with and discernment about AI could play a significant role in shaping how artificial intelligence is governed and developed in future years.