Research Shows Gen Z Most Ready to Use AI, But...
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Generation Z (Gen Z) and Indonesian Millennials appear to be among the youngest workers most ready to face the era of artificial intelligence (AI) globally. However, behind the high utilisation of AI, many Indonesian young workers feel they have not received adequate training from employers. This was revealed in the report “Deloitte 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey,” which polled more than 22,500 respondents in 44 countries, including more than 500 from Indonesia.
The findings show that 87% of Gen Z and 88% of Millennials in Indonesia already use AI in their day-to-day work. This is well above the global average of 74%. AI is not only used for technical tasks; Indonesian young workers also use it for career development, from seeking learning opportunities and requesting career advice to helping manage work-related stress.
Nevertheless, many young workers feel they have not been equipped with AI capabilities optimally by their companies. Indonesian Gen Z cites a lack of training opportunities as the main barrier to using AI at work, while Millennials cite a lack of knowledge and experience as their biggest challenge.
“Indonesian young workers are demonstrably a step ahead of global trends in AI mastery,” said Andika Yalasena, Organization & Transformation Director at Deloitte Indonesia, in a press release dated Friday (22 May 2026).
He added that the high enthusiasm of Indonesian young workers to boost AI skills could become Indonesia’s competitive edge in the digital economy era, but warned that talent risks falling behind if companies do not invest to maintain that edge.
Not Just About Salary
The study also shows Indonesian young workers are no longer chasing high salaries alone. Meaningful work, or a sense of purpose, has become the main factor in choosing where to work. About 99% of Gen Z and 100% of Millennials in Indonesia say meaningful work is very important for job satisfaction. Moreover, 44% of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials say they have refused tasks or job offers because they were not aligned with their personal values. In addition, workplace social relationships are considered important, with 75% of Gen Z and 88% of Millennials in Indonesia reporting colleagues who are already close friends.
Want to Be a Leader, But Don’t Want Burnout
The Deloitte study also finds Indonesian young workers are actually interested in leadership. 85% of Gen Z and 81% of Millennials say they want to hold leadership positions someday, higher than the global average. However, only 3% of Gen Z and 2% of Millennials currently list leadership as their main career target. The majority focus on financial independence and work-life balance. Concerns about stress, burnout, and disruption to life balance are cited as the main reasons many young workers hesitate to take on leadership roles too quickly. “This phenomenon reflects a generation that genuinely wants to lead, but in a more sustainable way,” Deloitte wrote in its report.
Unlike many other countries more concerned about living costs, Indonesian young workers place corruption as their biggest social concern, with 34% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials highlighting corruption in business and politics. Climate and environmental issues also feature among the major concerns, particularly among Indonesian Millennials.
Nevertheless, economic pressures remain. 54% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials say they must delay major life decisions, such as marriage, further study, or starting a business, due to financial conditions. Housing affordability is also a major concern, with 74% of Gen Z and 64% of Millennials saying housing affordability influences their career decisions.