Young People Believe Everything AI Says

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2025. 01. 29. 09:35

Almost all Gen Z youths use artificial intelligence (AI), but most of them fail to recognize when AI “hallucinates” and provides incorrect answers, according to a survey conducted by EY, Microsoft, and TeachAI across 16 countries. The study involving more than 5,000 Gen Z respondents also highlights that while companies support AI adoption, educational institutions tend to restrict its use.

The international report reveals that nearly all young people use AI. Two-thirds of those born between 1995 and 2009 know precisely which apps run on AI-based solutions, yet they are less aware of how to craft effective prompts to maximize the technology’s efficiency. Many of them struggle to filter out incomplete or incorrect AI-generated responses, and most are unaware that AI can fabricate statements that appear factual, still are actually false.

The EY study also shows that a significant portion of Gen Z believes companies would support AI use while completing tasks, but four out of ten respondents think educational institutions would not approve of it.

“This survey highlights a critical issue that both businesses and the education system must address. As in case of any new technology, the responsible use of AI is essential for society. This necessitates continuous development, regulatory measures, and most importantly, education,” emphasized Dr. György Tilesch, EY AI Confidence’s lead AI expert.
“Business leaders can integrate AI into their processes, but it’s in vain if employees don’t know how to use it properly. This is why it’s crucial to collaborate with partners who understand AI’s complex impact and can support its translation from strategy into execution,” added Erik Slooten, partner at EY AI Confidence.

Encouragingly, respondents recognize the key skills needed for effective AI use. Creativity and curiosity are seen as the most important (52%), followed by critical thinking (47%) and programming (46%).

According to participants, AI’s biggest advantages include saving time on repetitive tasks, analyzing large datasets, and reducing human errors. However, they also identify major risks such as rising unemployment, a decline in creativity, and the spread of misinformation.