Google Workspace Study Reveals More Than 90% of Rising Leaders Want AI With Personalization

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Google Workspace—the suite of AI productivity tools, including Gmail, Drive, Meet, and more, that is trusted by more than 3 billion users and over 11 million paying customers—released findings from its second-annual "Young Leaders" survey. Conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by Google Workspace, the study is based on a survey of more than 1,000 United States-based knowledge workers ages 22 to 39 years old who currently have, or aspire to hold, a leadership position at work.

New expectation: AI that offers personalized responses

The research revealed that 92% of young leaders want AI with personalization. This means that any output generated by AI is tailored to user preferences, such as an individual's writing style or an organization's brand guidelines, as well as contextually relevant information, like content from email correspondence, planning documents, meeting notes, and more.

The study also found that more personalization from AI:

"The era of one-size-fits-all AI is over," said Yulie Kwon Kim, Vice President of Product, Google Workspace. "Our research shows that personalized AI is no longer a nice-to-have—it's the baseline expectation for rising leaders who rely on AI at work."

Young leaders are becoming AI architects

The study also found that young leaders are evolving from passive users into dynamic AI architects. This shift is demonstrated in their hands-on approach to how they:

"Young leaders are writing the playbooks for AI in the workplace," Kwon Kim said. "Instead of simply accepting this technology with a one-size-fits-all mindset, they're designing curated workflows and collaborating with agents to drive value for their unique needs."

AI as a tool for professional development

Ninety two percent of respondents report that AI has made them more confident in their professional skills, while 91% say that AI has helped them contribute at a level higher than their role typically requires. Ninety one percent of respondents also say that AI literacy is a critical skill for the future of work.

For young leaders, AI is not just a productivity tool—it's a personal advisor that helps them develop leadership skills, navigate career transitions, and build confidence in their professional capabilities. The data shows that young leaders are using AI as a:

"Young leaders see AI as more than just a tool—they're leaning on it as a helpful collaborator and a trusted thought partner for professional development," said Kwon Kim. "Overall, the message from the next generation of leaders is loud and clear: AI must be personalized to be powerful. The data suggests that the future of AI will be defined by systems that offer more tailored solutions that put the user at the center of it all."

Survey Methodology

This report is based on an online survey conducted in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Google Workspace among 1,007 respondents aged 22-39 years old who are employed or self-employed full time, hold or aspire to hold a leadership position, and are knowledge workers.

About Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of AI productivity tools, including Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Meet, Vids, and more, that is trusted by more than 3 billion users and over 11 million paying customers. Google Workspace helps people and teams do their best work across any device, from anywhere. AI has been used in Google Workspace for years to improve grammar, efficiency, security, and more with features like Smart Reply, Smart Compose, and malware and phishing protection in Gmail. Now, Google Workspace with Gemini brings AI into the entire suite.

SOURCE Google Cloud