Gen Z Trusts ChatGPT With Life & Career Advice: What Can Go Wrong?

When ChatGPT launched over two years ago, it was mainly seen as a copilot for tasks like summarizing texts, fixing broken code, or helping with homework. That perception, like so much else, is now being stretched by Gen Zers.

Several reports suggest that beyond coding help and revision notes, Gen Z is increasingly turning to ChatGPT for life advice. They’re asking whether to accept a job offer, what to say in a breakup text, how to manage first-day nerves, or how to approach a difficult conversation with their boss.

But it’s not just Gen Z. I’ve seen fellow millennials ask ChatGPT whether to buy a bigger house or start small. A friend told me – half seriously, half joking – that he asked Grok whether it was time to get married, and what kind of woman might match the life he’s trying to build.

All this shows how deeply we’ve come to depend on artificial intelligence (AI). And it’s raising serious questions.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Why Gen Z & Beyond Are Turning to ChatGPT for Life & Career Advice
3. It’s Not All Shades of Red Flags
4. The Real Risk: When Algorithms Call the Shots
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Why Gen Z & Beyond Are Turning to ChatGPT for Life & Career Advice
3. It’s Not All Shades of Red Flags
Show Full Guide
4. The Real Risk: When Algorithms Call the Shots
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Why Gen Z & Beyond Are Turning to ChatGPT for Life & Career Advice

In uncertain times, people gravitate toward tools that offer answers with speed and without judgment. That’s part of what’s behind Gen Z’s growing reliance on ChatGPT.

A Resume.org’s survey of 8,647 full-time U.S. workers shows that, more than any other age group, Gen Z tends to personify ChatGPT, viewing it in various roles.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman captured these growing use cases of ChatGPT during a recent talk at Sequoia Capital’s AI Ascent event, where he said:

“They don’t really make life decisions without asking ChatGPT what they should do.”

As surprising as that may sound, a more cursory look at why young people are running to AI for answers will show that the appeal is not far-fetched.

ChatGPT Is Always-On

Let’s begin with the obvious. ChatGPT is always available – on mobile devices, web, tablets, laptops – and can be tinkered with anonymously or otherwise.

“Gen Z workers have grown up with instant access to information, so it’s no surprise they turn to AI before turning to a manager,” says career coach for Resume.org Irina Pichura.

No Judgment, No Pressure – A Safe Space for Vulnerability

But above all, AI systems like ChatGPT, unlike humans, don’t get impatient or waste time offering suggestions.

For many young users, especially those navigating early career decisions or mental health challenges, that’s a powerful combo.

This also means there’s no awkwardness in asking what might feel like a stupid question, and no emotional stakes in revealing doubts or fears.

Explaining this, Pichura told Techopedia:

“ChatGPT offers fast, judgment-free answers, which can feel more efficient and comfortable than approaching a supervisor, especially in remote or high-pressure environments.”

Rising Trust in AI Over Human Managers

There’s also the trust factor. A Pearl.com study, as reported by Forbes, highlights Gen Z’s high trust in AI, showing 41% of them trust AI more than humans.

This comfort translates to the workplace, where 50% of Gen Z prefer confiding in AI about work issues over their managers, a sentiment shared by only a third of Boomers.

It’s Not All Shades of Red Flags

While concern about overuse is valid, there’s another side to the story. For many users, ChatGPT is a space to untangle half-formed ideas, try different angles, or practice saying what’s hard to say. Some users often turn to it not just for answers but to make sense of their own thoughts.

A recent study by Bournemouth University suggests that ChatGPT’s personalized, human-like responses can support users in engaging with their thoughts and enhancing productivity, although it warns of potential dependency risks.

As Dr. Ala Yankouskaya, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University and lead author of the research, puts it:

“By creating conversations that feel continuous and personal, ChatGPT can mimic aspects of human interaction. This can increase the likelihood of users developing a sense of connection or familiarity with the AI.”

There’s a broader impact, too. Not everyone has a therapist, a mentor, or a supportive community. For those facing cultural barriers, financial strain, or remote isolation, ChatGPT offers a low-stakes way to reflect.

The study doesn’t call this therapeutic anyway, but it suggests the tool helps users work through their own reasoning by providing responsive, neutral feedback.

This by no chance suggests that ChatGPT is flawless. After all, it’s definitely a no substitute for real human connection or expert advice. But for a generation raised on digital interfaces, it can offer a reflective space that’s hard to find elsewhere.

The Real Risk: When Algorithms Call the Shots

Even with all the benefits, there are real reasons to pay attention to how quickly trust is forming between young users and generative AI.

One of the most immediate concerns is misinformation. ChatGPT does not always give accurate answers, and it lacks the context to evaluate what’s emotionally healthy, legally sound, or professionally wise.

The Bournemouth University study warns that excessive use could weaken confidence in personal decision-making and erode the ability to tackle life’s challenges independently, especially for those navigating formative years.

As the researchers note:

“Over time, this reliance can contribute to social isolation, diminished interpersonal skills, and fewer opportunities for real-life connections, issues frequently associated with internet addiction.”

Then there’s the issue of bias. The training data behind these models includes vast and sometimes conflicting social norms scraped from all over the internet.

What’s presented as objective advice might actually be a composite of flawed assumptions, outdated stereotypes, or subtle cultural skew. And while the chatbot doesn’t mean to be prescriptive, the way it presents responses often makes it feel that way.

The more users rely on ChatGPT as a final voice in decision-making, the more those choices reflect opaque systems of probability and suggestion rather than informed human insight.

That might not matter in casual contexts, but when the advice touches on issues related to personal financial decisions, mental health, relationships, or career shifts, the stakes rise.

The Bottom Line

The rise of AI as a guide for life’s questions says less about the technology and more about the moment we’re in. For Gen Z and those following in their footsteps, ChatGPT offers presence, patience, and perspective when other forms of support feel distant or inaccessible.

While these benefits are real, so are the risks. What matters now is not whether people use AI for personal guidance, but how they understand its role.

We should be curious, not dismissive. Critical, but not cynical. If we want a future where digital tools help us thrive, we must be honest about both their strengths and limitations.

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