Young Gen Z learners are voicing concerns about the relevance of academic degrees as AI advances pose potential threats to job prospects.
In a groundbreaking study, global student housing brand Yugo has uncovered the concerns and expectations of Gen Z students regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their careers. Through its YuPro pillar and Live Your Best Life platform, Yugo offers in-house career support, AI upskilling, mental health programming, and localised events in all its locations worldwide.
The research, which forms part of Yugo's Live Your Best Life programme, was based on a survey of over 7,000 students across nine countries. Among the key findings, 59.5% of Gen Z male students and 55% of female students believe AI has improved their work-life balance. This is a testament to the potential benefits of AI, with 44% of UK students expressing excitement about AI's potential to enhance productivity, healthcare, and work-life balance.
However, the study also reveals concerns among Gen Z students. A significant 62% of students globally and 79% in the UK express worry about job prospects post-graduation. This anxiety is further fuelled by the fear that AI could make human workers redundant, a concern shared by 78% of students in the UK and 79% globally.
The research highlights the need for the education sector to provide support to students beyond the curriculum. This includes career support, AI upskilling, mental health programming, and personal development initiatives. Emily Porter, Global Senior Brand Manager and Head of the Live Your Best Life programme at Yugo, believes that student expectations have evolved, and they are looking for providers who care about their whole journey, not just academics.
The study also shows that students are proactively seeking out tools, experiences, and accommodation providers that help them prepare for an uncertain future. Already, 43% of students are using AI tools to proof and edit academic work.
Concerns over the value of higher education are growing, with UK student debt now averaging over £53,000. This research presents an opportunity for the education sector to step up and provide comprehensive support to students, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven future.
In conclusion, Yugo's research provides valuable insights into the views and concerns of Gen Z students regarding AI in their careers. It underscores the need for the education sector to adapt and provide holistic support to students, preparing them for the future while addressing their concerns about job displacement, skill relevance, ethics, competition, and the creation of new AI-augmented jobs.
- Finance plays a crucial role in students' concerns about AI, as a significant number of students globally and in the UK worry about job displacement due to AI and express anxiety about their post-graduation prospects, with the average UK student debt now averaging over £53,000.
- In response to the evolving expectations of Gen Z students, education-and-self-development initiatives that focus on career support, AI upskilling, mental health programming, and personal development are increasingly sought after, with 43% of students proactively using AI tools for academic work and preferring business and accommodation providers that offer such services.
