5 Min Read
The latest trends in society and culture from The Harris Poll
Good afternoon from Madrid.
One Interesting Stat: One percent. That’s right, only (1%) of the world’s data has been trained on AI. I sat down with IBM’s Jonathan Adashek, SVP of Marketing & Communications at SPORT BEACH, last week in Cannes to discuss how we balance technology and human creativity.
We have four new stories from our polling this week:
- “We’re more bullish on AI in the office than our bosses,” say Gen Z.
- There’s a strong argument why your brand needs to invest in serendipity.
- Online therapy isn’t working, just yet.
- Has the nation reached “peak pet love”?
Gen Z on AI: Our Bosses Don’t Get It: UKG-Harris Poll
Despite the dire reporting of its replacement theory, Gen Z is bullish on AI and sees its potential to improve workplace productivity, as revealed in our latest polling with UKG.
- AI self-starters: Most Gen Z employees report that they have taught themselves most of the AI skills they use at work (70%).
- And three in ten (29%) say AI will save them an hour or more each work day.
- Yet their bosses don’t get it: Nearly half of Gen Z employees (49%) say their bosses don’t understand the benefits of AI.
- Interestingly, we found with Dataiku that (74%) of CEOs confess they could lose their job within two years if they don’t deliver measurable AI gains.
Takeaway: The vast majority of employees (84%) want AI to help them work smarter and more efficiently by automating workplace processes, and Gen Z could be the catalyst for adoption throughout the organization. By tapping into the ease with which Gen Z tends to adopt new technologies, companies can empower their entire workforce to learn the latest tools, leverage them to support their roles, and free up time for more engaging and strategic work.
The Serendipity Crisis That’s Reshaping How Brands Connect
Experiential marketing has become society’s secret weapon, yet the generation that needs it most is being priced out, argues CSO Libby Rodney in her latest Substack.
- Brands can help escape the pressures of daily life: Our America This Week data shows that three-quarters of Americans (78%) say they need a break from societal stress.
- But our research with Quad reveals a stark contradiction: While (73%) of Gen Z and Millennials say shopping at hyped retailers feels like “being part of a cultural moment,” and (60%) say waiting in line for these experiences is “part of the fun,” these same young people are systematically excluded from most connection opportunities.
- So, how can brands lead the connection revolution? Libby points to four areas.
- Measure long-term relationship value: Track connection, not just conversion.
- Design for serendipity: Use AI not to eliminate human unpredictability, but to enhance it.
- Think beyond your brand: Put human connections at the center of experiential campaigns, not your brand.
- Measure long-term relationship value: Track connection, not just conversion.
Takeaway: “When young people tell us they want to ‘play more’ and seek ‘serendipity,’ they’re not asking for entertainment – they’re asking for hope,” says Rodney. “They’re asking for spaces where chance encounters can change trajectories, where conversations over coffee can become collaborations, where waiting in line becomes part of the experience because it means you’re part of something bigger.” Read Libby’s whole piece here.
We Can Do More To Aid Gen Z Mental Health Than Superficial Online Tips: Naropa University-Harris Poll
As college students might say, the “vibes are off” across the country, according to our recent polling with Naropa University.
- Gen Z feels they give more than they get: Nearly seven in ten (68%) say they often prioritize other people’s emotional needs over their own.
- While six in ten (61%) say they don’t know where to turn when they feel emotionally overwhelmed.
- Social media as therapy: (63%) of Gen Z often find mental health information on social media, while (29%) doomscroll to cope with being mentally overwhelmed. But, over half (58%) say finding self-care tips online is as helpful as putting a band-aid on a broken bone.
- Three in ten (31%) of Gen Z also say “touching grass” and “going off the grid” are coping mechanisms.
Takeaway: “Gen Zers are emotionally intelligent and aware, but they are stressed,” said Azara Santiago-Rivera, Ph.D., Dean of Graduate Psychology at Naropa University. “They are open to receiving mental health services and are proactive in seeking such services, including online services. That openness has led to increased demand for services. Our findings show a generation hungry for deeper, more meaningful self-care than the superficial tips they find online.”
Have We Reached Peak Pet Love? Lowe’s-Harris Poll
With nearly 94 million U.S. households sharing their homes with a pet, Americans are a nation of animal lovers. And that bond runs deep, we found out with Lowe’s.
- Nearly all pet owners (94%) say their pet’s mood affects their own.
- Three-quarters (77%) consider their pet a full-fledged family member, with half (52%) referring to their pet as their best friend.
- And seven in ten (70%) of pet owners have canceled plans to stay home with their pets, while many have made pet-based decisions for their living spaces (84%).
- We’ve found previously that (43%) of Americans prefer pets over children, and half (48%) would give up $10,000 for their pet to have another year of life.
- Lowe’s has productized the insights from our research into the stay-at-home pet parent lifestyle, helping to bring dream PETios to life: custom outdoor spaces thoughtfully designed with both people and pets in mind.
Takeaway: Pets aren’t just animals – they’re family. Turns out, the connection between people and their pets runs deep – emotionally, practically, and even now architecturally.
