At Women Love Tech, we’ve long championed the power of mentorship in helping women and early-career professionals thrive in the tech industry. In fact, the WLT Academy Mentorship Platform was established to provides practical programs, guidance, and a supportive network, recognising that learning doesn’t just flow top-down – it’s a two-way street. This spirit of mutual growth has never been more relevant than in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven workplace, where young professionals are not only learning from senior leaders but actively teaching them, reshaping what mentorship looks like in the modern era.
New research from Microsoft Australia and YouGov, set to release on Tuesday 14th October, highlights this phenomenon in sharp focus. Their “Ctrl + Career: How Gen Z Are Redefining Success at Work with AI” survey of 575 early-career professionals reveals a generation navigating both excitement and anxiety about AI – and doing so with remarkable initiative. While 71% of young Australians worry AI might reduce job opportunities, nearly eight in ten report that their AI skills have increased their visibility with senior leaders and influence over workplace strategy.
This isn’t just about tech adoption; it’s about mutual mentorship at scale. The study found that 83% of early-career workers have been asked by senior leaders for guidance on AI, turning the traditional top-down mentorship model on its head. In effect, juniors are teaching seniors how to harness technology, while still relying on their managers for guidance on business strategy, risk management, and professional development. Sarah Carney, National Technology Officer at Microsoft ANZ, describes this as “mutual mentoring at scale,” noting that organisations need to foster the right culture to capture this energy.
The research also shows that Gen Z employees are driving bottom-up innovation. Seventy-eight percent of early-career professionals have introduced a new AI tool, workflow, or “prompt hack” that their team later adopted more broadly. More than 60% have built or customised AI agents, proactively exploring automation opportunities instead of settling for out-of-the-box solutions. These initiatives show that early-career professionals aren’t waiting for instructions—they are actively shaping how workplaces integrate AI.
Despite these advances, access to AI tools is uneven, creating a digital divide. Thirty percent of young workers report that their employer does not provide access to AI, while 21% rely on public tools, introducing data security risks. Industries such as education, health care, and the public sector feel the greatest impact, highlighting the need for organisations to safely democratise AI so that a few sectors don’t monopolise innovation. Carney emphasises that “AI should be a launchpad for every worker – not a privilege for a few,” underscoring the importance of inclusive access and responsible adoption.
The Microsoft study also sheds light on how AI is being used for career development. While early-career professionals primarily use AI for research (50%), writing (47%), and creating plans (45%), only 28% currently leverage it for feedback and coaching – the areas that most foster critical thinking and long-term growth. Nevertheless, AI has become a “personal hype squad” for Gen Z. For example, 79% credit AI with helping them communicate more professionally, 74% feel more confident presenting ideas after using AI, and 72% feel empowered to learn and solve problems independently. The research underscores that AI is most effective as a thought partner – supporting confidence, creativity, and decision-making – rather than as a shortcut for productivity alone.
Real-world examples bring these insights to life. Hyejun Park, Associate at Grant Thornton Australia, shared how demonstrating AI tools in audits transformed his manager’s perspective, turning a personal experiment into a team-wide improvement. Kiara Morris, a junior construction lawyer at Minter Ellison, uses AI as a “practice coach” to simulate courtroom scenarios, building confidence before real-life challenges. And Jett Potter, also at Minter Ellison, relies on AI assistants to pre-vet work, enhancing the quality of outputs before manager review. These stories highlight how early-career professionals are learning, experimenting, and mentoring simultaneously, creating a workplace that values both technical skill and critical thinking.
For anyone navigating early career growth, these insights underline the value of engaging in mutual mentorship and embracing AI as a collaborative tool. Platforms like WLT Academy make this easier by connecting professionals with mentors who encourage exploration, critical thinking, and practical application of skills, creating a space where learning flows in both directions. Just as Microsoft’s study shows Gen Z mentoring up, Women Love Tech provides structured ways for early-career professionals to mentor peers, learn from senior leaders, and apply technology thoughtfully to their career journey.
Ultimately, the research paints an inspiring picture: a generation that doesn’t fear technology but harnesses it strategically, combining curiosity with caution, and using mentorship – both giving and receiving – to grow smarter, more confident, and better equipped for the future of work. For early-career professionals looking to navigate AI, career progression, and mentorship in tandem, the message is clear: learning is a two-way street, and the future belongs to those who embrace it