A new study from International Workplace Group (IWG) shows that Gen Z is reshaping how Canadian teams use AI—helping older colleagues adopt new tools, speeding up hybrid collaboration, and accelerating career growth across the workforce.
Based on a survey of more than 1,000 professionals, the data reveals that 75% of workers have tried AI tools, and those who use them are saving an average of 47 minutes per day—nearly a full workday each week. Employees say that freed-up time is now being redirected toward higher-value work such as strategy, creative problem-solving, and professional development.
Younger workers are emerging as AI catalysts. More than half of Gen Z employees are actively coaching older colleagues, helping executives and directors integrate AI into daily workflows. Leaders say that this cross-generational support is paying off: 59% of Directors say it lets them focus on higher-value tasks, and 52% of C-suite leaders report productivity gains tied to younger employees’ AI fluency.
Workers are leaning heavily on AI to eliminate administrative drag. The top tasks employees want automated include email drafting, meeting notes, file organization, and data entry. With routine work handled, 59% say they can prioritize high-impact projects, while others are using the time to invest in training or improve well-being.
Hybrid workers, in particular, are seeing meaningful benefits. 56% say AI makes collaborating across locations easier, improving meeting preparation, transcription, and follow-ups. As a result, in-office time is shifting toward strategic thinking, face-to-face collaboration, and networking.
But the study also highlights growing pressure to keep pace. Nearly 60% worry their careers will stall if they don’t learn AI tools, and more than half believe non-adopters risk being left behind. Yet the overall trend is toward shared upskilling: 44% of employees—and 55% of Gen Z—regularly teach AI skills to coworkers.
“AI is becoming a powerful tool for hybrid teams and the modern workplace,” said Jeff Doughman, CEO of North America at IWG. “It’s helping break down barriers of distance, time, and generations and enabling workers to collaborate more effectively wherever they are.”
IWG operates the world’s largest flexible workplace platform, with more than 4,000 locations globally.