Many Gen Z workers now using AI to manage emails: report

'These insights give business leaders a chance to better connect with this generation'

Many Gen Z workers now using AI to manage emails: report

Employers looking to better connect with their youngest workers may already possess the most effective tool: email. 

Despite assumptions that Generation Z prefers instant messaging and social media, email remains their top communication channel in the workplace, according to a new report from ZeroBounce, a provider of email validation, deliverability, and address-finding solutions.

“Some of these findings were surprising even to us,” says Liviu Tanase, founder and CEO of ZeroBounce. “We didn’t expect a generation known for casual texts and DMs to stress so much over emails, but it’s a reality – even among some of our own Gen Zers here at ZeroBounce.”

How can AI reduce email stress?

Nearly half (47 per cent) of Gen Z workers say they check email for work purposes, while 36 per cent do so to keep up with updates such as job offers. However, more than half (53 per cent) report that email stresses them out.

“An overflowing inbox can make us all anxious, and Gen Z is no different. Most of our respondents (53 per cent) said email stresses them out, with 14 per cent saying they strongly agree,” notes the Gen Z at Work.

Email also impacts productivity. A striking 92 per cent of Gen Zers admit that email volume hinders their ability to complete tasks. Of those, 33 per cent say it’s an issue they face “always” or “often.”

“For many, email is a real time sink. Even those who feel the effects less frequently (20 per cent) still experience productivity dips due to busy inboxes. On the other hand, a small 8 per cent said email volume never affects them,” the report adds.

Managing emails is one of the stressors that workers face at work, according to a previous report.

Artificial intelligence (AI) appears to be an effective remedy. Based on ZeroBounce’s survey of nearly 1,400 Gen Zers—born between 1997 and 2012—across Canada, the United States, the UK, and Europe, 73 per cent use AI tools to manage their inboxes, with most reporting positive outcomes.

AI email assistants “can prioritise, categorise, and even respond to emails on your behalf,” says Oliver Baker, co-founder of Intelivita, a UK-based web and mobile app development firm.

“AI assistants can go beyond just filtering and sorting. They can understand the context of your emails, highlight the important parts, and sometimes even compose a suitable reply. This intelligent handling of mundane tasks significantly reduces your time on emails, giving you more time for important tasks or much-needed relaxation.”

AI may soon play a larger role in employee support, with previous research showing it can outperform humans – even trained professionals – in delivering compassionate and empathetic communication.

To truly maximise email’s potential as a tool for connecting with Gen Z workers, employers must address the confusion many young professionals experience when using the platform, the ZeroBounce report advises.

Many Gen Zers are uncertain about how formal their tone should be, how to sign off, and whether to use abbreviations.

“These insights give business leaders a chance to better connect with this generation,” says Tanase. “Setting clear email expectations is a great first step. Also, creating an environment where all generations feel comfortable sharing ideas can make collaboration more natural and productive. There’s room for growth on both sides.”

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