For years, social media has been treated as non-negotiable — especially for Gen Z. But a new survey suggests that may no longer be true.
According to a recent study conducted by AI Resume Builder, nearly one in four Gen Z adults say they’d rather give up social media like TikTok and Instagram than lose access to ChatGPT or similar AI tools. Even more striking: 9 in 10 respondents say they can’t imagine life without conversational AI.
It’s a surprising data point that highlights just how quickly tools like ChatGPT have shifted from novelty to necessity.
Gen Z is using ChatGPT daily — and often
The survey, which polled more than 1,200 Gen Z adults, found that AI tools are now embedded into everyday routines with 40% of respondents saying they use ChatGPT daily. Many reported using it multiple times per day.
AI is commonly used for writing, studying, brainstorming, job prep and problem-solving. In contrast to social media — which is often framed as entertainment or escapism — respondents described AI tools as useful, efficient and productivity-driven.
That distinction may help explain why some are willing to ditch platforms like Instagram or TikTok before giving up their AI assistant.
AI is becoming a utility, not a trend
The findings point to a broader shift in how younger users view technology. Rather than seeing AI as a replacement for creativity or human connection, many Gen Z users treat it as a digital utility, similar to search engines or messaging apps.
In other words, ChatGPT is becoming infrastructure, which aligns with what we’re seeing across the tech industry. AI tools are now deeply integrated into browsers, phones, operating systems and productivity software, making them harder to separate from daily digital life.
Bottom line
To be clear, this doesn’t mean Gen Z is abandoning social media. But it does show that what is changing is priority.
Social media may still dominate screen time, but AI is increasingly seen as the tool people rely on when something actually needs to get done. As AI tools become faster, more conversational and more deeply embedded across devices, that reliance is likely to grow — especially among digital-native users who are comfortable collaborating with machines.
The takeaway isn’t that ChatGPT has “replaced” social media. It’s that AI has crossed an important threshold: for a growing number of people, life without it now feels impractical.
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