Gen Z's Views on Work and Individuality Survey 2026 Vol. 2: AI Users Have 1.5 Times Clearer Future Vision Than Non-Users

Human Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tomoya Sato; hereinafter "the Company"), which operates businesses in education, human resources, nursing care, childcare, IT, beauty, and sports, conducted the "Gen Z's Views on Work and Individuality Survey 2026" targeting a total of 1,000 men and women aged 20-29, including new graduates of 2026 (hereinafter "26 graduates").

**Key Points of This Matter:**

* Approximately 60% (58.7%) of Gen Z are positive about AI utilization in work. This rises to approximately 70% (67.2%) for 26 graduates. * 39.2% of Gen Z AI users responded that they "have future dreams and goals." This is approximately 1.5 times higher than non-users (26.2%). AI utilization tends to enhance career clarity. * 26 graduates are more positive about an "AI-led" work style than current employees. 38.2% idealize an AI-led style, with 47.6% of 26 graduate males approaching half. * Time created by AI efficiency is prioritized for investment in "self-care time," such as "spending time with loved ones (20.6%)" and "fandom activities and hobbies (19.6%)," rather than self-improvement.

**Overview of This Matter:**

The Company has adopted "Value Promise: SELFing" as its management philosophy, which is the value provided to all stakeholders. "SELFing" is defined as finding one's "desired self," setting a path towards its realization, and progressing, which in turn contributes to society.

Through its education, human resources, nursing care, childcare, IT, beauty, and sports businesses, the Human Group provides "SELFing," supporting each individual in finding and realizing their desired self, and matching them with societal needs to achieve a rich society where all people can live authentically.

This survey, "Gen Z's Views on Work and Individuality Survey 2026," was conducted targeting 1,000 men and women aged 20-29, including 26 graduates, who are employed by companies or organizations.

**"Gen Z's Views on Work and Individuality Survey 2026" asked 1,000 Gen Z men and women, including 26 graduates.**

Japan's severe labor shortage and the rapid spread of AI are the most immediate challenges for Gen Z, who will lead the future society. In particular, the 26 graduate generation, who spent their high school and university years under the uncertain circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, view digital technology as infrastructure while also tending to value contribution to society and individuality. This survey clarifies how people in their 20s are re-evaluating "career" and "desired self" in the AI era. Vol. 1 announced Gen Z's views on work, and Vol. 2 will announce the shift to "AI-led work styles" seen in the 26 graduate generation and new career perspectives through technology coexistence.

"Gen Z's Views on Work and Individuality Survey 2026 Vol. 1"

**[Survey Outline]**

* **Period:** April 1 (Wednesday) - April 7 (Tuesday), 2026 * **Respondents:** 1,000 people * **Method:** Internet survey * **Target:** Nationwide / Company employees (full-time), civil servants, organization staff aged 20-29, male and female.

* *Note: The composition ratio of survey results is calculated by rounding off to two decimal places, so the total value does not necessarily equal 100%.*

**Q1. Approximately 60% of Gen Z intend to use AI. 26 graduates show a proactive stance approaching 70%.**

The percentage of people who responded that they "are utilizing AI in their work or want to utilize it" was 58.7% for Gen Z overall. Among 26 graduates, 67.2% of the 500 respondents answered that they "are utilizing AI or want to utilize it," indicating that more than half have a proactive attitude towards AI. On the other hand, among current employees (second year of employment or later), "pro-AI" was 50.2% and "non-AI users" was 49.8%, a slight difference, suggesting that differences in AI literacy and expectations are beginning to emerge depending on the year of joining the company.

**Q2. Ideal work style: Gen Z and current employees prefer "human-led," while 26 graduates prefer "AI-led."**

When asked which work style is closer to their ideal if AI utilization becomes common in the workplace, "AI-led work style" or "human-led work style," "human-led work style (40.0%)" was mainstream for Gen Z overall. However, among 26 graduates, 38.2% chose "AI-led work style," surpassing current employees (32.0%).

Furthermore, by attribute, the proportion of Gen Z overall who idealize an "AI-led work style" was 43.8% for males and 26.4% for females. Among 26 graduate males, this was 47.6%, showing a positive trend towards AI utilization.

**Q3. Gen Z tends to want AI to handle daily routine tasks and humans to focus on advanced soft skills.**

When asked about tasks Gen Z wants to entrust 100% to AI, they mentioned data-related tasks, document creation, and information organization.