AI Over Recent Grads?

Key findings from a recent survey by monster.com.

• 67% of 2025 grads say 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is a thing of the past (up from 55% in 2024).
• 64% view five-day workweeks as outdated (versus 54% last year).
• 59% think full-time office work is outdated (up from 54%).
• 59% believe relocation for a job is outdated.

Combine that with a Workplace Intelligence survey for Hult International Business School:

• 37% of managers would rather use AI than hire a new grad.
• 44% prefer freelancers; 45% would rehire retirees.
• 30% would leave a role unfilled before hiring a new grad.

What does this mean?

It means that Gen-Z wants and expects a different work-life model and that corporate leadership is having trouble coming to grips with it.

37% would rather use AI?

Who’s gonna lose this battle, and does AI tip the scales toward corporate leadership?

AI doesn’t get tired or cranky. AI doesn’t have issues at home. AI doesn’t want to attend the 3rd grade’s production of Columbus coming to America at 10am on a Tuesday. 

But also, AI has no will. AI doesn’t care. And AI doesn’t know what a better world looks like.

One could easily look at these results and think, “Gen-Z’s gotta get their shit together.”

But is that the right way to think about it?