Half of Generation Z interns expect 20% of their jobs to be automated by artificial intelligence by the time they start full-time roles, according to a new survey.
The 2025 edition of KPMG’s Intern Pulse Survey polled 1,117 KPMG US interns across the firm’s tax, audit, advisory and business process group functions. While interns expect portions of their jobs to be automated, 92% of respondents are confident in their ability to adapt to these advances in AI.
“While headlines focus on fears of workers being replaced by AI, Gen Z talent joining the workforce in the coming years is challenging a deeper assumption that employers can deprioritize workforce well-being and long-term growth in their rush to maximize new technology benefits without facing consequences,” Derek Thomas, national partner-in-charge of university talent acquisition at KPMG US, said in a statement. “Instead, this talent is embracing AI as a tool and seeking stability, meaningful relationships and sustained career development from their employers. Organizations that recognize and support these values will be best positioned to attract and retain top talent from this next generation.”
Sixty percent of Gen Z believe they are more willing to experiment with AI tools, with 89% reporting using generative AI at least once or twice per week in their day-to-day routines, both personally and professionally. However, Gen Z’s top concern about AI usage is overreliance — not wanting to become too dependent on AI for thinking or creating — followed by concerns about misinformation or bias.
“Gen Z is making AI work for them,” Thomas said. “While other generations are still debating whether to use it, Gen Z is exploring new and creative ways to utilize AI for increased efficiency in their daily lives and enhance their performance at work.”
“Here’s the irony,” Thomas continued. “The most digitally connected generation in history knows that real career magic happens face-to-face. They want mentors, not just managers — and they are learning by experiencing and observing in-person interactions.”
Respondents said that in-person office interactions are the most useful for building professional relationships during internships, and observing how colleagues and managers interact in the office helps interns feel most confident navigating workplace expectations. Interns specified that hands-on practice projects are the preferred way to learn new information at work, followed by peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and in-person training sessions.
That said, work-life balance is the top-ranking factor — above salary — when considering a full-time job. Forty-seven percent of the respondents say they want to eliminate the traditional nine-to-five schedules, while others want more emphasis on mental health and well-being and to eliminate mandatory video-virtual communication.
Gen Z says the biggest challenge in navigating workplace expectations is knowing when it’s appropriate to take breaks and step away from their desks. And in terms of fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, team members’ respecting of different perspectives is most important to respondents, followed by a culture that accommodates different working styles and personalities.
Ultimately, Gen Z wants long-term job stability amid job market uncertainty. While over half (59%) of the respondents expect to build expertise and climb the ladder at one or two companies over the course of their careers, 35% plan to stay in one field but change roles throughout their lifetime.
