12-18-2025
Last month on an 84-degree, sunny day in Dallas, Texas, I spoke at Sunniefest, an event designed for young people to gather in person and learn more and connect on topics they both are interested in and are the most pressing for them, including how to ethically and effectively approach using Artificial Intelligence. This incredible event was organized by Hello Sunshine and their Sunnie team. Sunnie is a Hello Sunshine sister label for Gen Z that was announced this past summer at Cannes Lions by Reese Witherspoon. Purdue serves as the official university partner for Sunnie.
As I walked on stage, I saw young people, notebooks in hand, who were eager to learn more about Artificial Intelligence. My fellow panelist, Neha Shukla, an author, AI ethicist and junior at Duke University, and I took turns asking each other questions about what AI is and what it means for our future. A few days later I recorded the latest episode of the "This Is Purdue" podcast and shared more thoughts on AI and Gen Z with Kate Young.
Artificial Intelligence, more specifically generative AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, etc.), is changing the way we live and work. A change this massive is going to create some uncertainty, and uncertainty often causes some anxiety or fear. In spring 2025, Gallup released its Gallup Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z study looking at Gen Z and how they think about and use AI. They found that around 79% of Gen Zers use generative AI, but 41% of them report that these tools make them anxious.
To address the fears and anxiety around using generative AI, I suggest three ways to use emotional intelligence and self-awareness to help you navigate and think about how to use this new tool.
I write and talk a lot about mindset. The reason is because how we think determines so much of what will happen next. Our mindset directly impacts our communication and our actions.
Sometimes we're afraid of new things because we've just never done it before. In those situations, it's easy to have a negative mindset and assume the worst (i.e., AI will take away my job). It's also easy to fall into a fixed mindset where you just want to do what you know how to do (i.e., I don’t know how to use AI to do certain tasks so I won’t try it).
How can we use mindset to shift how we think about and use generative AI?
Consider adopting: growth mindset + positive mindset
Change can be challenging, but change also creates new opportunities. Adopting a growth mindset alongside a positive mindset allows you to consider more possibilities on how to solve problems and accomplish goals.
Consider these questions as you move towards a growth mindset + positive mindset around using generative AI:
There are some people who are a little nervous and have a negative and fixed mindset about using generative Artificial Intelligence because it’s still new and they haven’t thought about all the ways it could help them. It is important to know we can reframe that mindset and think about it with a growth + positive mindset, because when we think about how to use AI creatively we can start to unlock AI’s potential to help advance our work.
A criticism around generative AI and Gen Z’s use of it is that it will cause people to lose their ability to write and think critically. Generation Z, much like other generations, cares deeply about authenticity. Our authentic voice is special and unique. No one else has our exact voice and no other human intelligence or AI should overshadow it.
How do we maintain our authentic voice while using generative AI?
Generative AI can be used as a communication tool to help us level up our skills and creativity. It should not be used to replace it, but ultimately it is up to us on how we choose to use it.
Almost every tool can be used for something good or for something bad. When it comes to using AI, we must consider how to use it with integrity.
How do we maintain integrity around generative AI usage?
Overall, when we use emotional intelligence and think about how to use generative AI in a way that maintains our authentic voice and is ethical, we are leveraging this new tool to help us level up how we work and live. The choice of how to use AI is up to each one of us. There will always be some who take shortcuts and use AI in ways that don’t adhere to best practices, but they are only hurting themselves. However, working every day with Generation Z students in the Daniels School of Business at Purdue, I am confident these young people are learning how to ethically leverage AI as a tool that will allow their voices to shine.
Professor Roberson’s “This Is Purdue” podcast episode is available on YouTube. Watch it now or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
This blog post is part of a series written by Professor Kasie Roberson. This series is designed to share best practices in business communication. Each article highlights a business communication principle or idea and actionable strategies.
Kasie Roberson is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management and Head of the Leadership Coaching Institute in the Center for Working Well at the Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University.
A strategic communication expert, executive coach, and award-winning faculty member, Roberson is also the author of “Strategic Business Writing: A People-First Approach.”
Learn more about the Sunnie Playbook: From AI to IRL Professor Roberson contributed to.
If you are interested in scheduling Roberson as a speaker for your organization or company, please contact the Center for Working Well.
This blog post provides general insights and best practices for business communication. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered coaching, consulting, or professional advice. Neither Professor Kasie Roberson, nor the Mitch Daniels School of Business, nor Purdue University are responsible for how readers apply this information in practice. Readers should use their discretion and seek professional guidance as needed.
