Insights from a recent ET Snapchat Gen Z report point to a significant shift in technology usage, with AI and AR becoming integral to everyday life rather than remaining emerging innovations. AI is being widely used for studying, workplace tasks, and decision-making, underscoring its role as a key productivity tool. At the same time, AR is influencing consumer behaviour, with 66% of users finding it more effective than traditional formats and 62% considering it more trustworthy, thereby shaping purchase decisions.
Gen Z, in India exhibits a strong positive outlook toward AI, driven by digital familiarity and a preference for efficiency. However, this widespread adoption is accompanied by concerns over cognitive dependence, including potential impacts on critical thinking, skill development, and social interaction, reflecting a balanced and discerning approach to AI.
The ET Snapchat Gen Z report, based on insights from over 1,500 respondents across multiple survey waves, highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) are becoming embedded in the daily routines of young users. Rather than being viewed as emerging or novelty technologies, both AI and AR are increasingly treated as practical tools that simplify everyday tasks, enhance productivity, and support decision-making.
A key finding of the report by Kantar, is the evolving role of AI as a functional support system. Gen Z users are leveraging AI for studying, completing work tasks, and solving problems quickly. Instead of perceiving AI as a trend, they treat it as a reliable “tech buddy” that reduces stress and improves efficiency. This behaviour is consistent across survey periods, with sample sizes ranging from 741 to 1,534 respondents, indicating a stable and sustained pattern of usage. AI’s integration into everyday activities—such as studying, workplace tasks, and quick decision-making—highlights its evolution into a regular productivity tool rather than an experimental technology.
Augmented reality is also playing a significant role, particularly in influencing consumer behaviour. The report reveals that 66% of respondents find AR tools more effective than traditional images or videos in helping them understand how products work. Additionally, 62% believe AR-based product demonstrations are more credible and trustworthy. These insights suggest that AR is becoming a crucial factor in building consumer confidence and shaping purchase decisions.
Beyond shopping, AR is widely used for content creation and communication. Features such as filters, lenses, and effects enable users to create engaging and shareable content with minimal effort. This ease of use has made AR a natural part of digital expression and everyday interaction among Gen Z.
The report underscores that AI and AR have moved beyond their experimental phase and are now deeply embedded in everyday usage. Rather than being treated as emerging trends, they are increasingly becoming standard features across activities such as shopping, learning, content creation, and events. The consistency in responses across multiple survey waves further indicates that this transition is structural and sustained, not temporary.
Some top AI tools include: Google AI Studio, Google Antigravity. Gemini CLI, Gemini Code Assist for Individuals, NotebookLM, Translation Advanced, Cloud Vision, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Natural Language API, Video Intelligence, Compute Engine, Cloud Storage.
Top AI Platforms include CoTester, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Shortwave, SaneBox, Superhuman, Reclaim, Clockwise, SkedPal, Asana, ClickUp, Tellius, Thoughtspot, Qlik Sense, Sisense.
Some of the leading AR platforms include Sketchfab, Niantic, Adobe Aero, Wikitude, Unity, NVIDIA XR Suite, Apple’s Reality Kit. MetaSpark Studio, Google ARCore, Midjourney, Dall-E 3, Adobe Firefly, Google Veo, Runway, Synthesia,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of everyday life, influencing activities ranging from virtual assistance to personalized recommendations. Its impact is particularly significant among Generation Z in India—individuals born after 2000—who have grown up in a digitally connected environment. This generation is highly receptive to AI technologies and actively engages with AI-enabled applications across various domains, including education, entertainment, and professional development.
A key factor driving this adoption is Gen Z’s familiarity with technology from an early age. Their digital literacy, combined with widespread internet access and exposure to advanced tools, has cultivated a positive perception of AI. They view AI not as a complex or distant innovation, but as a practical and accessible tool that enhances their daily experiences. AI-powered platforms are seen as enablers of convenience, offering personalized content, recommendations, and streamlined services that align with their preferences.
Gen Z in India also recognizes the productivity benefits associated with AI. They perceive it as a powerful tool that can,
This perspective is closely tied to their desire for effectiveness and their inclination to stay updated with technological advancements.
AI is viewed as an innovative solution that simplifies tasks, reduces effort, and enables smarter outcomes.
Beyond functionality, this generation demonstrates a strong willingness to actively engage with AI technologies. They are eager to explore new AI-driven solutions that can make their lives easier and more seamless. This openness is driven by their adaptability, curiosity, and preference for innovation. As a result, Gen Z is not only a passive user of AI but also an active participant in its adoption and evolution.
Additionally, Gen Z perceives AI as a gateway to new opportunities. They believe it can help expand knowledge, build skills, and open pathways for personal and professional growth. AI is increasingly being integrated into learning processes, career development, and creative pursuits, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for advancement.
Furthermore, this generation acknowledges AI’s potential to address broader societal challenges and contribute to meaningful progress across sectors. In the workplace, Gen Z is particularly optimistic about AI’s role in enhancing productivity and job performance. They are open to incorporating AI tools into their professional lives and believe such technologies can improve efficiency, sharpen decision-making capabilities, and support career growth.
Overall, Generation Z in India exhibits a distinctly positive perception of AI, accompanied by a high degree of willingness to integrate these technologies into everyday activities. This receptiveness positions them as a critical cohort in accelerating AI adoption and diffusion in the country. Their proactive engagement is likely to influence innovation trajectories across sectors, enabling productivity gains and shaping the contours of a progressively AI-driven socio-economic landscape.
Despite their widespread use of artificial intelligence, many Gen Z expresses concerns about its long-term impact on human capability. A key concern is that increasing reliance on AI for cognitive tasks may reduce individuals’ ability to think independently, potentially leading to diminished intellectual effort over time. While AI offers convenience and efficiency, young users are questioning whether this ease comes at the cost of reduced mental sharpness and learning.
Other major concern is the erosion of learning through active engagement. Gen Z respondents feel that outsourcing tasks to AI limits opportunities to develop skills that typically come from effort and practice. This apprehension is supported by some researches suggesting that heavy reliance on AI may lead to reduced cognitive engagement, sometimes described as “cognitive debt,” where individuals retain less of what they produce with AI assistance.
Another concern relates to the weakening of critical thinking. Many young users believe that AI encourages quick access to answers rather than deeper understanding. Instead of analyzing or processing information, users may rely on ready-made outputs, which can lead to more superficial learning and reduced analytical ability. Experimental research reinforces this view, showing that individuals using AI tend to invest less effort and produce less nuanced outcomes compared to those relying on traditional methods.
Gen Z is also concerned about the impact of AI on social learning. The increasing use of AI tools may reduce interactions with peers, mentors, and educators—interactions that are essential for collaborative learning and personal development. As AI takes on roles such as advisor or assistant, there is a fear that it could replace meaningful human exchanges, contributing to greater isolation.
Although issues like misinformation and inaccuracies in AI outputs are acknowledged, they are not the primary source of concern. Instead, the broader anxiety centers on AI’s potential to substitute human effort, thinking, and interpersonal interaction.
Overall, while Gen Z recognizes the benefits of AI, they remain cautious about its unintended consequences. Their concerns highlight a growing awareness that overdependence on AI could reshape not only how people work and learn, but also how they think and connect with others.
Read more
AI and Generation Z: Exploring perceptions, attitudes, and usage intentions
India’s own AI: Building a multilingual, inclusive intelligence model
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