When it comes to levels of workplace stress, social connections and the use and perceptions of generative AI, Generation X’s experiences fall between those of their younger and older colleagues, making them critical players for bridging a multigenerational workforce, according to Mather Institute’s recently released 2026 Gen Xperience Study.
For example, Gen Xers (ages 45-60) reported using AI at work less than millennials (ages 29-44), but more than baby boomers (ages 61-79), a July 2025 survey of about 4,000 employed individuals in the U.S. found. Participants included approximately 1,000 people from each generation, including Generation Z (ages 18-28).
Gen Xers also said they trusted the content that AI produces more so than baby boomers but less than younger generations, according to the study.
These findings put Gen X “in a unique position to encourage more AI usage among boomers, while also acting as a voice of caution for younger generations when it comes to fact-checking the content that AI produces,” the report explained.
As a starting point, the study found that the generations are more alike than stereotypes may suggest. Notably, more than 70% of respondents from all generations — 72% of Gen Zers, 76% of Gen Xers, 77% of baby boomers and 80% of millennials — agreed or strongly agreed they enjoy learning from the experiences of colleagues from different generations.
The study also called into question the stereotype that older generations aren’t tech savvy and can’t adapt to new technology. While as a group, baby boomers reported the greatest difficulty, 56% said adapting to technology was easy or very easy, the survey found.
By comparison, 77% of millennials, 69% of Gen Xers and 68% of Gen Zers said they found adapting to technology easy or very easy. Even so, employers should avoid making assumptions about an individual’s technological proficiency based solely on their generation, the report cautioned.
Although the generations are mostly positive about working with each other, conflicts do arise. About a quarter of Gen Zers (23%) and millennials (26%) said they experience generational conflicts at work often or extremely often, according to the findings. Yet 14% of Gen Xers and 3% of boomers reported a similar experience.
When conflicts do arise, they’re often about work quality (26%), values (26%) or technology usage or proficiency (29%), the findings showed.
The study also found that 31% of Gen Z feel extremely misunderstood, while 26% of millennials, 17% of Gen Xers and 9% of boomers do.
That the survey found Gen Zers feel this way shouldn’t be surprising given similar findings by other recent studies. For instance, according to a December 2025 report from Kahoot, an engagement platform, Gen Z office workers said they feel judged and criticized for being “too passionate” or outspoken, setting boundaries or having a certain appearance. Nearly half blamed this on older workers’ mistaken beliefs about their generation.
“These stereotypes are not harmless — such generalizations can lead to biased hiring and management practices, create a negative team dynamic, and reduce organizational cohesion,” the Mather Institute study said.
Across generations, the study recommended that employers enhance social connections and multigenerational team dynamics, particularly for younger generations who feel the most conflict at work and the most misunderstood.
