A new report shows something a lot of managers probably suspected. Gen Z is using AI at work. And many of them are using it to do something old-school employers might not expect. They are working less.
According to a June 2025 survey by AIResumeBuilder.com, 66 percent of full-time Gen Z workers use AI chatbots on the job. That alone is no surprise. But here’s the kicker. Nearly a third of those workers say AI lets them cut down the number of hours they work each week.
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The poll included 1,882 U.S. workers between 18 and 28 years old. Among those who use AI, 29 percent admit it has trimmed their schedules. About a third of that group saves one to three hours per week. Another third gets back four to six hours. Seventeen percent have dropped seven to ten hours from their week. A small but bold group of Gen Zers have slashed their time even more. Seven percent cut 11 to 20 hours and nine percent now work 20 fewer hours or more.
So what do they do with all that extra time? They relax. Watch TV. Sleep. Spend time with family and friends. Play games. Some take on side gigs or use the time to pick up new skills. A few are actually doubling down on AI by improving their prompt writing or automating even more tasks.
The most common AI uses at work are brainstorming, data analysis, and writing emails. But it goes beyond that. Gen Z is using AI to schedule meetings, draft reports, interpret complex messages, resolve conflicts, and even write code. Basically, if it happens behind a keyboard, AI is fair game.
But here’s where it gets interesting. While AI use is high, transparency is not. Forty percent of Gen Z workers say they have purposely hidden their AI use from managers. They do it for different reasons. Some want full credit for their work. Others worry their boss will disapprove or pile on extra assignments. A few just do not want coworkers copying their process.
And even though more than half think it is ethical to use AI to cut hours without telling anyone, most are not looking to advertise it. In fact, 52 percent say they would be uncomfortable if their employer tracked how much they use AI.
Rachel Serwetz, a career advisor at AI Resume Builder, believes this behavior shows a lack of trust in traditional workplace culture. She says many Gen Z workers are trying to protect their autonomy and maintain work-life balance. Until companies have clear and supportive AI policies, she expects employees will keep flying under the radar.
Interestingly, the survey also found that while 57 percent of Gen Z say their manager is very aware of their AI use, the rest are not so sure. Thirty-five percent believe their manager is only somewhat aware, and six percent say their boss has no clue.
Whether this silent shift leads to a new era of flexible, AI-assisted work or just more workplace tension remains to be seen. But one thing is clear. Gen Z is not waiting for permission. They are using AI to take control of their workday and reclaim time for themselves. And for many of them, that feels like progress.
