A New Era at Work: How Gen Z Workers Are Using AI Like ChatGPT to Increase Productivity and Battle Burnout

The Rise of AI in the Workplace: Gen Z's Relationship with ChatGPT

In a groundbreaking survey conducted by Resume.org, insights into the behaviors of Generation Z workers reveal a significant shift in their approach to productivity in the workplace. The survey, conducted in October 2025, focused on 1,000 full-time Gen Z workers aged between 18 and 28, who have recently utilized AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Copilot. The results illustrate a multifaceted relationship between this younger generation and artificial intelligence, moving beyond mere productivity enhancement to encompass emotional support and companionship.

AI as a Tool for Collaboration

According to the survey, around 77% of respondents acknowledge using ChatGPT to tackle work tasks effectively. However, what's particularly intriguing is that a considerable number of Gen Z workers, approximately 43%, admit to spending at least half an hour each day engaging in conversation with AI – with one in four dedicating over an hour.

For many, these interactions serve various purposes. While 42% use the chatbot to discuss non-work topics, 38% take breaks or find entertainment in it, and 33% lean on AI to voice work-related stress. Alarmingly, 15% openly confessed to employing AI as a way to seem busy even when they had little work to do. This overlap of casual chat and work application signifies a transformed workplace dynamic where AI serves not just as a tool but as a pivotal element in their daily routines.

Beyond Work: The Emotional Connection with AI

Six out of ten respondents claim that they engage in conversations with AI chatbots just as frequently, if not more often than with their coworkers. Notably, 45% of the participants expressed a belief that ChatGPT knows them better than their immediate supervisors. This deeply personal reliance on AI is striking, with one in three respondents admitting to sharing secrets or thoughts with AI that they have never revealed to another human.

The survey highlights diverse perspectives on AI’s role in their lives. While 47% view it purely as a