Gen Z’s love-hate relationship with AI

The Verge / 4/10/2026

💬 OpinionSignals & Early TrendsIdeas & Deep Analysis

Key Points

  • A new Gallup report based on nearly 1,600 US respondents ages 14–29 finds Gen Z’s sentiment toward AI has cooled, with fewer people hopeful and more people resenting its growing presence in daily life.
  • The study indicates AI is becoming more embedded in school and work, contributing to falling enthusiasm even as many young people still feel they must use it.
  • Gallup surveyed respondents in February–March 2026, documenting a noticeable shift in attitudes compared with last year.
  • Overall, the article frames Gen Z’s relationship with AI as a “love-hate” cycle: disillusionment and skepticism coexist with continued reliance on AI tools.

Gen Z is increasingly disillusioned with AI - just not enough to stop using it.

A new Gallup report released this week, based on responses from nearly 1,600 people ages 14 to 29 across the US, suggests the hype is wearing off for the digital-native generation as AI becomes more embedded in school and work. Enthusiasm is falling and resentment is growing, even as many young people feel they still need to use the technology.

Gallup's poll, conducted in February and March this year, found Gen Z's feelings on AI have cooled significantly since last year. Only 18 percent said they were hopeful about the technology and 22 percent said they wer …

Read the full story at The Verge.