Why GenAI is Powering a Gen-Z Corporate America Exit

New technology is enabling young professionals to redefine the traditional 9-to-5 work model.

12/21/20243 min read

I’m a 26-year-old communications manager at a professional services firm. I’ve been at my job for a little over four years. I like what I do, I love my boss, and I’m paid at market rate—so why do I feel like leaving? Let’s break it down:

What I Like About My Job

  • The Work: I develop and execute the communications strategy for our firm's operations team, advise leaders on trending political issues that impact our business, manage occasional crisis communications, and present these efforts across various mediums. Sure, there are mundane tasks like building landing pages, writing briefing documents, and sending out mass internal emails—but overall, it aligns with my passion for politics and business.

  • The People: My boss is a gem. She’s supportive, gives actionable feedback, bubbles up my successes to senior leadership, and encourages me to take breaks and use my PTO. Senior leaders know my name, and I feel valued.

  • The Pay: My compensation is decent. Could it be better? Sure. But I understand the business has operational costs, R&D, and other employees to consider.

So, if everything’s going fine, why do I feel like jumping ship?

Why I’m Thinking About Leaving

Maybe I’m just another "lazy, unwilling-to-work" Gen Z-er (as some love to label us). Or maybe… I’m thinking about the long-term trade-offs. With the rise of AI, the cost of staying might be higher than the cost of leaving.

Let me explain why AI is empowering this Gen-Z girly to scuttle down the corporate ladder.

1. AI Makes Entrepreneurship Too Easy to Ignore

Generative AI (GenAI) has obliterated the barriers to starting a business. Tools like ChatGPT can draft business plans, marketing strategies, and investment pitches in seconds. Beyond ChatGPT, there are niche tools for:

  • Graphic Design: Canva’s AI features for branding.

  • E-Commerce: Shopify’s AI assistants to build online stores.

  • Social Media: Buffer’s AI for post scheduling and analytics.

  • Video-editing: Invideo.AI's ability to generate AI videos using text.

Honestly, with tools like these, even my $7.25/hour high school job at Subway could have funded a startup. And it’s not just businesses. Freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you monetize skills overnight.

2. The Hidden Stress of Workforce Survival

Layoffs are no longer temporary setbacks—they’re permanent shifts. When corporations cut jobs today, they’re not planning to refill those roles with humans. AI is the new hire.

Even though I’ve received consistent praise at work, I live with the fear that one misstep could land me on the chopping block. This anxiety is paralyzing. During one busy period, after a coworker’s departure left me absorbing her responsibilities, I literally threw up at the office. The uncertainty isn’t just exhausting; it’s unsustainable.

3. AI Adoption Is Outpacing Upskilling

I’d consider myself an early adopter of AI. Tools like GPT-4 are fantastic for streamlining repetitive tasks. But the speed at which companies expect us to integrate AI into our workflows is absurd compared to how slowly they’re investing in upskilling employees.

It’s clear that for some senior decision-makers, the logic is simple: Invest in AI, cut human capital costs, and watch the revenue climb. It’s efficient, yes. But it’s also inhumane.

4. The Influence of Social Media and Side Hustles

Social media has turned entrepreneurship into the new American Dream. My peers are turning side hustles into businesses, automating operations with AI tools, and working 20-30 hours a week. Examples?

  • Case Study: SaraFinance shares how she scaled her side hustle into a six-figure business.

  • Case Study: Baddieinbiz shows how to start and automate businesses using AI tools.

And it’s not just influencers hyping this up—the data backs it.

The Corporate Conundrum

I really thought I’d climb the corporate ladder, find security in a traditional role, and live happily ever after. But factors like:

  • AI’s ability to lower barriers to entrepreneurship,

  • Persistent layoffs replacing humans with algorithms, and

  • The growing number of peers building flexible, AI-powered businesses…

have me questioning whether Corporate America is still the best fit.

For now, I’m taking it day by day. I’m valued in my current role, and that’s what’s keeping me here. But if you’re not feeling valued, your pay isn’t market rate, and your company’s been RIF-happy recently… why not take the leap and start an online business? Here are some YouTube channels I found helpful to get started:

For Employers Wanting to Keep Gen Z Engaged

Stay tuned for my article with three tips on retaining high-performing Gen Z employees. Spoiler: It involves more than just free coffee and pizza Fridays.