4 Gen Zers explain why they refuse to use AI
3 minute readPublished: Monday, August 4, 2025 at 9:59 am
Gen Z Voices Express Concerns Over AI Adoption
While much is made of Gen Z's supposed affinity for artificial intelligence, a segment of this generation is actively rejecting its use. Four young women recently shared their reasons for avoiding AI, citing environmental concerns, ethical considerations, and its impact on their work and personal lives.
Alexis Rose Young, a marine biology student, expressed worries about the environmental footprint of AI, particularly the energy consumption of data centers. She actively seeks to avoid AI in her daily life, even requesting her manager to stop using AI tools in the workplace. Cheyenne Shoemaker, formerly in mental healthcare, is concerned about AI's potential to replace human interaction and its impact on social skills. She avoids AI in her personal life and would consider it a "dealbreaker" if a job required its use.
Weezy Simes, a florist and Etsy seller, believes AI is negatively affecting her work, citing the influx of AI-generated content and its impact on her sales. She views AI as detrimental to communities, health, and the environment, and actively discourages its use among her friends. Delaney Vetter, a food and beverage publicist, shares ethical and environmental concerns. She observes her environmentally conscious friends making exceptions for AI and is skeptical of its usefulness in her professional life.
These young women represent a growing sentiment among some Gen Zers who are wary of AI's rapid integration into various aspects of life. They are choosing to limit their exposure to the technology, highlighting concerns about its environmental impact, its potential to erode human connection, and its effects on creative industries.
BNN's Perspective:
The concerns raised by these individuals are valid, it's important to acknowledge the potential harms of AI along with its benefits. Responsible development and deployment of AI while addressing legitimate concerns about its impact on the environment, employment, and social interactions should be a top consideration. Open dialogue and thoughtful regulation are crucial to ensure that AI serves humanity's best interests, not just the interests of the few leading the way.
Keywords: Gen Z, AI, artificial intelligence, environmental impact, ethical concerns, data centers, carbon emissions, mental health, social skills, creative industries, employment, technology, ChatGPT, OpenAI, productivity, innovation.