Young workers do not wait for instructions from management and actively acquire skills in working with artificial intelligence. Representatives of Generation Z and millennials are spending time and money on AI courses and certifications at a record pace. Data from major educational platforms show a sharp increase in systematic AI training, and global studies reveal that young professionals are already restructuring their career plans to adapt to new realities.
Purposeful learning
A survey of Generation Z and millennials by Deloitte found that nearly six out of ten members of Generation Z and 57% of millennials believe that the proliferation of generative AI will require retraining and influences their career decisions. The same study demonstrates significant use of generative AI by young workers in professional activities alongside concerns about long-term demand without ongoing upskilling. For these employees, the best path to success is to learn faster and more purposefully.
The global Coursera skills report also demonstrates similar trends. In 2023, Coursera users registered for courses in generative AI every minute. In 2024, this pace increased fourfold. Registrations for GenAI courses grew by 1,060% year-over-year. The report showed that learners find time to earn certifications that promise practical skills in AI.
Fresh data from Udemy on learning activity confirms this trend in the online course market. AI topics are among the fastest-growing categories with active participation from Generation Z in studying prompt crafting, applied GenAI tools, and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. Corporate consumption of generative AI content continues to grow, confirming that these skills are applicable in real work.
What motivates young people to engage in active learning
The LinkedIn report on corporate learning adds to the demand picture from employers and employees within companies. Four out of five people want to learn how to use AI in their profession. Learning and development teams now prioritize upskilling and career advancement. Young professionals see this activity and respond with stable interest in AI-related content, often linked to internal mobility.
Younger generations are always the first to adopt new technologies and change behaviors, but AI is seen as critically important for career mobility. Many see knowledge of AI as a growing necessity in an era when companies are cutting jobs, citing AI and automation as keys to efficiency. The new landscape favors people who can formulate tasks for AI systems, evaluate results, and integrate them with professional knowledge.
Young workers, who tend to change career directions more often, are interested in developing skills that open up more opportunities in the workplace. In a Deloitte survey, most representatives of Generation Z and millennials report frequent use of generative AI and expect to work alongside it. Many believe they will need new skills and will choose employers that help them acquire them.
Systematic learning instead of chaotic browsing
This pushes students towards more specific educational programs instead of random workplace learning. They seek intensive courses, certifications, and clear training programs that turn AI knowledge into concrete steps and outcomes.
Instead of endlessly watching videos on YouTube, job-oriented students enroll in programs that combine theoretical foundations, practical tools, and knowledge assessment. Professional certifications in AI tools provide early and mid-career workers a way to demonstrate progress without leaving their jobs.
A LinkedIn study shows that people who set career goals are much more actively engaged in learning compared to those who do not. Internal mobility becomes a goal as companies match skills with open positions and allow employees to transition to roles where they can apply new AI knowledge.
Data shows a clear picture: young professionals view AI skills as an investment in career stability and growth. Companies that support this desire for learning gain better-prepared and more adaptable employees in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
