September 30, 2026, (Inside AI) — Google's chief economist, Fabien Curto Millet, recently analyzed 15 million interactions with the company's AI tools to determine how people use the technology at work and in daily life. His findings, discussed in a recent interview, suggest that AI's impact on employment, particularly for Generation Z, is more nuanced than headlines often portray. The data indicates that AI is not simply eliminating jobs but transforming tasks and reshaping how younger workers build careers.
The study, which examined anonymized usage patterns, reveals that AI tools are most frequently used for writing, reasoning, analysis, and idea generation. These are precisely the skills that many white-collar professionals once considered uniquely human. Yet Millet argues that the technology is augmenting rather than replacing workers. "AI is not going to eliminate jobs wholesale," he said. "It's going to change the nature of work and the skills that matter."
For Gen Z, the cohort born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. Many entry-level positions have historically served as training grounds where young workers develop judgment, expertise, and professional networks. If AI automates routine tasks, those traditional stepping stones may shrink. But Millet notes that AI can also accelerate learning by providing instant feedback and access to information. The key question is whether companies will invest in mentoring and skill development to complement AI tools.
Google's analysis found that AI usage varies widely by industry and role. In fields like software development, marketing, and customer service, adoption is high. In regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, uptake is slower due to compliance concerns. This uneven pattern suggests that AI's effect on jobs will not be uniform. Some workers will see their roles enhanced, while others may face displacement if their tasks become fully automated.
Millet's comments come amid a broader debate about AI's labor market impact. Some economists predict significant job losses, while others point to historical precedents where technology created new roles even as it eliminated old ones. The challenge for policymakers and business leaders is to manage the transition fairly. "We need to focus on reskilling and education," Millet said. "The workers who thrive will be those who can adapt and collaborate with AI."
For Gen Z, the stakes are particularly high. Many are entering the workforce with significant student debt and uncertain career prospects. If AI reduces the number of entry-level jobs, they may struggle to gain a foothold. However, the technology also enables entrepreneurship and freelance work, allowing young people to monetize skills without traditional employment. Google's data shows that younger users are among the most enthusiastic adopters of AI tools, often using them for creative projects and side hustles.
Read: HBR Research Reveals AI Intensifies Work and Erodes Judgment
Still, concerns about workplace culture and mentorship persist. In an AI-augmented environment, junior employees may have fewer opportunities to learn from senior colleagues if routine interactions are automated. Millet acknowledges this risk but believes that companies can design workflows to preserve human connection. "AI should free up time for higher-value interactions, not replace them," he said.
The long-term outlook remains uncertain. Google's study is one of the largest of its kind, but it only captures usage of its own tools. Other AI platforms may show different patterns. Moreover, the technology is evolving rapidly, making it difficult to predict future employment trends. What is clear is that AI is already changing the way work gets done, and younger workers will need to navigate a landscape that is both promising and precarious.
As the debate continues, Millet's advice to Gen Z is pragmatic. "Embrace AI as a tool, but also develop the human skills that machines cannot replicate: empathy, creativity, and critical thinking." Those qualities, he suggests, will remain in demand regardless of how advanced AI becomes.
