A Gallup panel commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation and GSV Ventures reveals Gen Z’s mood toward AI has shifted from curiosity to unease. Weekly usage still sits at 51%, but growth has stalled, rising only four points in a year. Meanwhile, anger toward the technology climbed to 31%, up from 22% last cycle, and anxiety stays high today.

Employers feel the backlash: 48% of Gen Z workers now say AI’s risks outweigh its benefits, an 11‑point jump. Although 56% admit AI speeds tasks, 80% fear faster completion will erode future learning. Confidence in AI‑driven productivity slipped ten points since 2025, suggesting the cohort values speed but doubts long‑term payoff. Such concerns push companies to reconsider training and oversight policies.

In schools, policy adoption surged, with 74% of districts now regulating AI use—a 23‑point rise—but distrust grew, as 41% think peers cheat with the tools. Despite skepticism, half of K‑12 students expect AI fluency for college and careers. Policymakers and educators must therefore prioritize transparent guidelines. The data signals a generation that tolerates AI’s utility yet demands clearer, human‑centric integration.