HP executive defends Gen Z, cites AI fluency and relationship skills as business assets
HP's North America SVP George Brasher says Gen Z employees excel at listening, trust-building and AI use, refuting claims they lack interpersonal ability.
George Brasher, senior vice president and managing director for North America at HP, disputes the stereotype that Gen Z lacks people skills, highlighting their ability to listen, build trust and understand customer needs. He points to HP’s global staff of about 55,000 employees, saying the youngest workers are spearheading a more interconnected, inclusive and conscientious workplace. Brasher emphasizes that growing up with digital and AI technologies gives Gen Z a "superpower" that boosts productivity and work-life balance.
Supporting voices from Colgate-Palmolive’s chief human resources officer Sally Massey, Stripe’s head of data and AI Emily Glassberg Sands, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman also praise the generation’s tech fluency. The HP leader pushes back against celebrity critics such as Jodie Foster and Whoopi Goldberg, who have dismissed Gen Z workers as annoying or overly demanding. The discussion underscores how companies view the cohort’s AI native status as a key asset in a competitive entry-level job market.
Why it matters
It reveals how major firms value Gen Z’s digital skills, shaping hiring practices and workplace dynamics.
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