As businesses invest more heavily in AI, automation, and digital tools, a growing divide is emerging, not between departments or industries, but between generations. According to the 2025 Yooz Workplace Tech Resistance Report, conducted by cloud-based purchase-to-pay automation provider Yooz, younger and older employees have strikingly different views on workplace technology.
The most notable division appears around artificial intelligence. While AI has been marketed as a universal game-changer for productivity, the report shows that not all age groups are equally enthusiastic.
Overall, 40% of employees said they find AI tools helpful but unreliable, and 16% avoid them altogether. But those averages mask much deeper generational variation. Among Gen Z employees, 35% say they “love” AI tools. Compare that to Boomers, where only 13% feel the same.
This discrepancy suggests that younger employees are not only more comfortable experimenting with emerging technology but are also more likely to see AI as a valuable part of their workflow. For Boomers, however, skepticism runs deeper, fueled perhaps by unfamiliarity, usability concerns, or prior negative experiences.
The report also highlights the broader struggles around workplace technology implementation. In total, 51% of employees say that new tech rollouts create more internal chaos than improved efficiency. This signals that the problem is not just generational—it’s structural.
When tools are introduced without proper onboarding or thoughtful rollout strategies, the result can be confusion and resistance across the board. But the generational gap deepens when it comes to ease of use and expectations.
For Gen Z, a key predictor of success is whether the tool is intuitive. In fact, across all age groups, 39% of employees say tools should require minimal training to be successful. Yet the report shows that 52% receive only basic training when new systems are launched, and 20% receive little to no training at all. Nearly 48% of employees surveyed said that better training would improve adoption.
These findings point to a disconnect between how technology is implemented and how different generations prefer to learn and engage with it. Younger workers expect frictionless, user-friendly tools. Older employees may need more structured guidance and reassurance to develop confidence in unfamiliar systems.
While generational differences are real, the report makes it clear that resistance does not equal rejection. Employees aren’t necessarily against new technology. What they oppose is complexity without clarity, and tools that create more work than they save.
This distinction is especially important in industries where tech adoption lags behind. The survey found that government (46%), construction (42%), and manufacturing (28%) are the most resistant sectors when it comes to tech adoption. Many workers in these sectors span multiple generations, so tailoring training and support to meet different needs is crucial.
The report from Yooz offers key recommendations for companies looking to overcome generational resistance and boost adoption across the workforce.
One major theme is the importance of ease of use. Tools should be designed with a wide range of users in mind, not just digital natives. Interfaces should be intuitive enough for Gen Z to dive in quickly, but also supported by enough structure to help Boomers and Gen X gain confidence.
Second, training must go beyond the basics. Employees of all ages report insufficient onboarding as a barrier to adoption. Offering more robust and role-specific training—along with continuous support—can help remove friction from the adoption process.
Third, the report emphasizes the need for employee involvement in decision-making. When employees are asked for input before new tools are rolled out, they feel more invested and less resistant. Thirty- six percent of survey respondents said adoption would improve if they had a say in the process. Additionally, 28% said that leadership needs to better model adoption behaviors to set the tone from the top.
Ultimately, the success of new workplace technology doesn’t just depend on software features. It depends on the culture in which it’s introduced. Companies must take into account how employees of different ages, roles, and backgrounds approach change—and then meet them there.
“Successful technology adoption isn’t just about rolling out new tools; it’s about ensuring employees feel equipped and empowered to use them,” said Laurent Charpentier, CEO of Yooz. “Companies that invest in training and intuitive design don’t just implement technology—they create an environment where innovation thrives.”
Understanding generational differences in how employees view and engage with workplace technology is no longer a soft skill. It’s a strategic necessity. Companies that succeed in bridging this divide will not only improve efficiency but also create more inclusive, future-ready workplaces.
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