Three in ten (29%) Gen Z workers across high-growth sectors are engaging in ‘shadow AI’ use, according to a new report from Imperial Lifelong Learning, a new division of Imperial College London. Despite three quarters of the UK public using AI daily, and employers increasingly encouraging their workforce to use it to boost productivity, it’s clear some employees are keeping their use of the technology a secret from their employer.
The report marks the launch of Imperial Lifelong Learning, a new division that draws on Imperial’s world-leading science and technology teaching to help people and organisations build the skills needed to adapt and thrive as new technologies reshape industry. The department supports people across generations to feel empowered and confident in using AI.
Heather Haseley, Chief Lifelong Learning Officer at Imperial Lifelong Learning, said: “AI is transforming our high-growth industries and promises to create new opportunities to accelerate productivity and economic growth. Few technologies have been so rapidly adopted by businesses and their employees, and as a result there is a risk that the skills of the workforce fall behind what it can achieve with AI.
“Research shows professional skills now have a shelf life of around five years, less for technical skills. Higher education must respond to provide people with the tools to continually apply and redeploy their knowledge as conditions change, so learning persists beyond the next technological breakthrough and industry is shaped and guided by human ingenuity and creativity.”
‘Shadow AI’ in the workplace
The findings revealed that Gen Z engaged in ‘shadow AI’ (using the technology without their employer’s knowledge) more than any other generation. But the divide is not as simple as younger workers embracing AI while older workers hold back: Gen Z’s regular use of AI at work (48%) is closer to Gen X (45%) than Millennials (55%).
Gen Z’s relationship with AI is complex. The generation was the most likely to say using AI at work feels dishonest (35%) and to worry their colleagues will view them negatively for using it (26%).
The report surveyed workers in five high-growth industries: financial services; engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure; technology and digital; energy and sustainability; and healthcare and life sciences.
Across all generations, six in ten (59%) workers surveyed believe there is a skills gap in their industry. Two-thirds (66%) believe the UK’s international competitiveness will be significantly affected if the skills gap is not addressed, and seven in ten (70%) believe a failure to close it will significantly affect the jobs available to the next generation within the next five years.
“Education has a critical role to play in making sure people, of every generation, can do their jobs fully while using these tools responsibly and transparently.”
Haseley added: “Our findings point to trepidation amongst UK workers around the use of AI and how it will impact the economy. Education has a critical role to play in making sure people, of every generation, can do their jobs fully while using these tools responsibly and transparently, and feel confident in how they are governed.
“For younger employees, support must start before they enter the workplace. Industry leaders we spoke to as part of our research highlighted a disconnect between attitudes towards AI in the workplace and in education, where young learners may be penalised for using AI, creating an uncertainty that follows them into work. Higher education needs to bridge that gap.”
Rapid adaptation to workforce needs
The new report, Everyone but me: what UK employees told us about AI and skills, explores the differences across generations, sectors and levels of seniority in how AI is used and viewed, and how skills gaps are perceived.
It comes as AI use among UK businesses continues to grow, almost tripling since 2023 according to the Office for National Statistics, with the UK Government predicting adoption could boost the economy by up to £400 billion by 2030.
Imperial Lifelong Learning’s interdisciplinary model is designed to adapt rapidly to changing workforce needs, combining academic excellence with real-world application through custom programmes, executive education, professional development courses, apprenticeships and leadership development, including courses such as Transforming Business with AI.
The full report can be downloaded from the Imperial Lifelong Learning website.
About Imperial Lifelong Learning
Imperial Lifelong Learning is a new division of Imperial College London that draws on the university’s science and technology teaching to help people and organisations build the skills they need as new technologies reshape industry. Generations in the research follow recognised birth-year bands: Gen Z, born 1997 to 2012; Millennials, 1981 to 1996; Gen X, 1965 to 1980; and Baby Boomers, 1946 to 1964.
