Some Gen Z workers would rather report to AI than a human boss
An EduBirdie survey found one in 10 Gen Z workers want an AI manager, citing fairness, safety and a lack of trust in current bosses.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
One in 10 Gen Z workers would like their manager replaced by artificial intelligence, according to a 2025 survey by essay-writing service EduBirdie. The finding points to a workplace trust problem as much as enthusiasm for AI, with young workers saying they expect software to treat them more fairly than some human bosses.
EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 young Americans and found that about seven in 10 are already using polite language with ChatGPT, in case AI systems become more powerful in the future, Fortune reported. The survey also found that some Gen Z respondents see tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini as potentially better managers than the people currently overseeing them.
Respondents gave several reasons for preferring an AI boss, according to EduBirdie. Many said AI would be kinder, more evenhanded and less biased. Some said a virtual manager might be more intelligent than their current boss, while others said they believed AI would be easier to influence.
The responses also included more serious concerns about workplace conduct. Fortune reported that some respondents said an AI boss would not make sexual advances toward them and would feel less intimidating.
Managers face a warning sign
Avery Morgan, chief human resources officer at EduBirdie, told Fortune that the interest in AI managers should concern employers. She said the responses suggest some workers are dealing with managers who are burned out, detached or failing to meet basic expectations.
Morgan said the desire to replace human managers with AI reflects concerns about unfair treatment, unclear communication and toxic workplace behavior. Fortune reported that she also linked those problems to broader workplace tension around return-to-office mandates.
Managers may face a different AI risk than being replaced directly by software. Fortune cited a separate 2025 survey that found most bosses expected they could lose their jobs within a year if they failed to build AI skills.
Morgan said strong human management still depends on qualities AI cannot fully provide. “I don’t believe AI can replace professional managers who bring emotional intelligence, empathy, ethical judgment, and creative problem-solving to the table,” she told Fortune.
She said the irony is that workers who prefer machines appear to be missing the human parts of management in their current workplaces.
Advice for bosses and workers
Morgan told Fortune that managers should create channels for honest feedback, including anonymous surveys if workers do not feel safe speaking directly. She said bosses do not need to be friends with employees, but they should be approachable, transparent, consistent and ethical.
She also advised managers to respect boundaries, keep conversations professional and acknowledge mistakes. If a manager behaves inappropriately, Morgan said Gen Z workers should consider going to human resources or a more senior leader.
For workers dealing with a toxic or unprofessional boss, Morgan recommended documenting incidents with dates, details, emails or messages. She told Fortune that if an employer offers no meaningful support, employees should leave rather than sacrifice their mental health for a role, title or salary.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.