Bold claim: AI isn’t a trend; it’s becoming the backbone of how work gets done. Google’s Yulie Kwon Kim argues that the AI revolution isn’t about a one-off tool, but about learning to wield it as a core part of every task. The younger generation is not treating AI as a passing experiment; they’re integrating it into daily routines and career growth as if it were a native skill.
Kim, Google Workspace’s Vice President of Product, shared these insights with Fortune from Google’s New York City office, drawing on Google Workspace Study’s second edition. Her takeaway is clear: workers aged 22 to 39 view AI as essential, not optional, shaping how they operate and evolve professionally.
AI’s role, she notes, differs starkly across generations. For older workers, AI may feel like a useful tool or utility; for many in Gen Z, it represents a natural extension of how they work. Kim compares early AI exposure to a child’s ease with using an iPad—no formal coaching needed to scroll or interact. The Harris Poll–conducted study, which surveyed over 1,000 U.S.-based knowledge workers and included conversations with Fortune 500 firms and startups worldwide, underpins this generational split: younger workers are using AI in increasingly native and intuitive ways.
This observation matters because younger cohorts have historically steered workplace tech. Kim is particularly curious about where AI-driven behaviors are headed, since they hint at the future of work.
Still, disruption isn’t uniform. Some workers will adapt naturally; others may find change challenging. Kim recalls how Google Docs transformed collaboration by enabling real-time editing, reducing the friction of back-and-forth file revisions. For many, especially long-timers, this shift could feel unsettling—preparing for a world where waiting for feedback is less common.
Quality through personalization
Last year’s experiments in large organizations gave way to a more decisive shift: Gen Z is already pursuing higher productivity and personal relevance in AI use. Kim highlights “vibe coding”—the idea that people can leverage AI to code or create with limited formal training—and focuses on outcomes rather than tools alone.
A central theme emerges: personalization. Ninety percent of rising leaders want AI that feels tailored to them. Younger workers aren’t satisfied with generic results; 92% of respondents say AI must provide genuinely personalized assistance. For AI to truly add value, outputs should reflect the user’s voice, tone, and style, moving beyond novelty. This demand for authenticity coincides with a healthy skepticism about AI-generated content, such as images or articles.
Kim’s personal observation about her teenage children underscores this point: they’re quick to spot AI-generated imagery and crave authenticity. The best AI tools of the future will seamlessly mirror their users, becoming an integral part of daily workflows rather than a separate add-on.
AI to handle the busy work, so humans focus on ideas
AI is seen as a liberator from repetitive tasks—spell-checking, grammar, formatting—liberating time for more creative and strategic work. When teams adopt tools like Gemini, leaders report a rise in the quality of output that surpasses previous benchmarks. The outcome is a democratization of production: if the right tool exists, someone without advanced coding or design skills can still bring an idea to life.
Google Workspace’s ambition is to embed AI so deeply into everyday tools—Gmail, Docs, and beyond—that it isn’t perceived as a bolt-on. With more than 3 billion users and over 11 million paid organizations, the goal is to normalize AI as a natural aspect of everyday work, including support for non-native English speakers who can write professional emails faster and with greater confidence.
A global reach, a global challenge—and opportunity
Kim notes the privilege and pressure of representing Google Workspace on a global stage. Her conversations span Fortune 500 companies to small businesses in places like Brazil and India. Feedback from users around the world has highlighted how AI helps non-native English speakers communicate more effectively and efficiently, saving time and boosting confidence.
The scale of this transformation is immense, given Google Workspace’s global footprint. In Kim’s words, embracing AI across such a diverse user base is both a privilege and a substantial challenge, but it’s also a source of genuine excitement.
If this pace continues, AI will redefine professional life not as a separate upgrade, but as an integrated, everyday capability. The question remains: will organizations adapt quickly enough to keep up with the evolving expectations of a workforce that’s growing up with AI as a basic literacy? And what are your thoughts on AI’s role in shaping the future of work—will personalization and authenticity prevail, or will concerns about reliability and misuse slow adoption? Share your views in the comments.
