They’ll Lose Their Humanity’: Dartmouth Professor Surprised by How Scared Gen Z Students Are of AI

Many young people today are not just curious about artificial intelligence — they’re anxious about it.
Scott D. Anthony, a Clinical Professor of Business Administration at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, says he’s been surprised by the level of fear among his Gen Z students when it comes to AI. While some students are eager to experiment with the technology, a significant portion approach it with “hesitation and fear” — not just worried about cheating or academic integrity, but genuinely concerned that heavy reliance on AI could erode what makes us human.
Gen Z’s Mixed Emotions on AI
Anthony — who joined Dartmouth after a long career in consulting — began teaching just before the release of ChatGPT. He expected students to dive into AI tools. Instead, he found a generation torn between excitement and anxiety.

“There’s something about AI where people, I think, worry that they’ll lose their humanity if they lean too much into it,” Anthony explained.

This fear isn’t isolated to Dartmouth. Recent surveys reveal that many Gen Z students feel anxious or unprepared about AI use. A Walton-GSV-Gallup report shows that while around 79% of Gen Z have used generative AI tools, over 40% report anxiety around the technology — and many want clearer guidance from schools and employers on how to use it responsibly.
Why the Fear? Loss of Skills or Identity?
According to Anthony, the anxiety goes beyond simple unfamiliarity. Students worry that over-reliance on AI for writing, thinking, or problem solving might weaken critical human skills like creativity, judgment, and deep thinking.
He’s cautious about students letting AI do too much of their work without demonstrating genuine understanding:

“We just have to separate people from technology when we’re assessing learning or else we’re going to get AI regurgitation,” Anthony said.

“Hard Work” Still Matters
Instead of banning AI altogether, Anthony advocates for approaches that encourage learning with intent. He wants students to use AI to enhance understanding — not replace effort.
Drawing inspiration from thinkers like Jerry Seinfeld, Anthony emphasizes the value of the “hard way” — doing the challenging cognitive work that builds wisdom and insight, rather than leaning on tools for quick outputs.
An Ongoing Debate

Educators and researchers are still navigating the role of AI in classrooms. Some argue that AI can boost productivity and learning when used thoughtfully, while others worry about its impact on cognitive skills and educational quality. Reports suggest nearly half of Gen Z are concerned that AI could harm their ability to think critically.
As AI continues to evolve rapidly, these mixed feelings among the next generation — its promise, its risks, and its ethical implications — are likely to remain at the forefront of discussions in education and beyond.