The AI Skepticism That Won't Age Out BY TROY HARRISON
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
THE HAIRE GROUP www.hairegroup.com
Here's something nobody saw coming: The generation most skeptical of AI isn't the one that doesn't understand it. It's the one that understands it best. Every new technology faces resistance. The internet? A fad. Smartphones? Unnecessary. Social media? A waste of time. But tech skepticism has always followed the same pattern—older workers resisted, younger workers em- braced, and eventually the skeptics retired and adoption became universal. Not this time. The Tech Skepticism Script Has Flipped. Traditional technology skepticism was driven by unfa- miliarity. Baby Boomers didn't grow up with computers. Gen X had to learn the internet as adults. They resisted because the technology was foreign. As digital natives en- tered the workforce, resistance faded. AI flips this script entirely.
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Sixty-two percent of Gen Z express skepticism toward artificial intelligence—higher than any other generation. Sixteen percent explicitly don't want AI on their phones, compared to only 9 percent of older users. Forty-nine per- cent believe AI will harm their critical thinking skills. This isn't ignorance. It's educated wariness. Gen Z grew up watching social media algorithms manipulate behavior, mine personal data, and damage mental health. They understand how "engagement optimization" created filter bubbles and monetized attention at the expense of well-being. They've seen technology companies prioritize profit over users – and they figure (correctly) that it will keep happening. When it comes to AI, Gen Z isn't asking "how does this work?" They're asking "who does this benefit, and at what cost?" And they can spot AI-generated content instantly. Years of exposure to algorithmic manipulation have given them sophisticated internal detectors. The Impact For B2B Sellers You already know that generational dynamics in B2B selling have gotten complex. Older salespeople struggle to connect with younger buyers who communicate differ- ently and research differently. Younger salespeople face CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
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November 24, 2025
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