Gen Z is all-in on AI art, even if they have no idea what they're doing

A young woman, likely Gen Z, with light blue hair and headphones, sitting at a desk in a room with purple ambient lighting. She's wearing a white hoodie with colourful abstract designs. She's looking back over her shoulder at the viewer with a slight smile.

The creative industry has officially crossed the AI Rubicon, and no one seems entirely sure how to steer. According to Envato’s new Beyond Adoption: The State of AI in Creative Work 2026 report, nearly half of all creative professionals now use AI tools daily. The catch? Confidence hasn’t kept up with enthusiasm, and even the so-called 'AI-native' generation is winging it.

This latest global snapshot, which surveyed over 1,700 creatives across disciplines, paints a vivid picture of an industry that’s no longer wondering if AI matters but is more focused on how to manage it. It comes after Coca-Cola's AI ad puts the tech back in the spotlight for creatives. The results of the survey suggest creatives are both inspired and uneasy about AI use, which matches how people I've spoken to at AI conferences like Upscale.