3 Things SME Owners Should Know About AI before Gen Z Tells You

• Case: Workplace Collaboration with AI at Accenture Accenture’s 2023 report on workforce trends highlights how Gen Z, integrate AI tools like Copilot into their daily workflows as collaborative partners. They are likely to ask AI tools for ideas and brainstorming, and with more advanced users ask AI to validate their plans, expecting these tools to “understand” their needs intuitively. 
• Example: Zapier’s AI Integration Zapier, a workflow automation platform, reported in a 2024 blog post that its Gen Z employees treat AI as a “digital coworker” for tasks like automating email responses or generating marketing content. They expect AI to adapt to their workflows seamlessly, and when it doesn’t (e.g., due to outdated CRM data), they quickly pivot to alternative platforms, aligning with the article’s claim that Gen Z dismisses unintuitive AI.

2. Data Privacy Matters (Yes, Even to the TikTok Generation)

• Case: Gen Z’s Response to Data Breaches at TikTok A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 67% of Gen Z users are concerned about how their data is used on social platforms like TikTok, despite their active engagement. This concern extends to workplaces, where Gen Z employees at companies like Deloitte have pushed for transparent AI data policies. For instance, Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey cites cases where interns flagged unsecured AI tools (e.g., public-facing chatbots) that could expose client data, supporting the article’s point about Gen Z’s privacy awareness and the need for clear data governance.
• Example: Slack’s AI Training Controversy In 2024, Slack faced backlash from Gen Z users and employees after it was revealed that user data was being used to train AI models without explicit consent. Posts on X and tech forums showed Gen Z workers, in particular, demanding opt-out options and clearer data policies, reflecting their sensitivity to privacy and the article’s warning about preventing accidental data sharing with AI tools.

3. Gen Z Values Practical AI Results Over Flashy Tech

• Case: Shopify’s AI-Driven Productivity Tools Shopify’s 2024 case studies on AI adoption show how Gen Z employees prioritize practical outcomes, such as faster customer query resolution. Shopify’s Sidekick AI tool, used by its younger workforce, reduced response times in customer support by 30%, which Gen Z staff valued over the tool’s “innovative” branding. 
• Example: Canva’s AI Features Canva’s Magic Studio, is popular among Gen Z marketers for its practical AI tools that speed up content creation (e.g., generating social media graphics in seconds). A 2024 Fast Company article noted that Gen Z users at small businesses favored Canva’s AI for its ability to cut design time by 40%, rather than its flashy generative capabilities, supporting the article’s claim that Gen Z prioritizes tangible results over buzzwords.