Digital transformation is advancing at a rapid pace, but not all young people are participating in the change at the same rate. According to the latest report on youth labor market integration prepared by the Pfizer Foundation and Fad Juventud, 46.7% of Spanish youth between the ages of 15 and 29 have never used artificial intelligence tools, despite their increasingly decisive presence in the labor market.

The study, entitled Youth Labor Market Integration: Aspirations, Concerns, and Challenges, paints a nuanced picture: while AI is establishing itself as a strategic skill in many sectors, a significant proportion of young people have not yet incorporated these technologies into their daily, academic, or professional lives.

Uneven and mainly recreational use

Among those who have interacted with artificial intelligence tools, the most frequent use is recreational (38.7%), followed by educational (33.8%). Professional use reaches 26.8%, which shows that the integration of AI into youth work contexts is still in the process of consolidation.

In the personal sphere—organization, planning, or support in daily tasks—the percentage drops to 11.7%, reflecting that AI is not yet a structural part of most young people’s daily lives.

Expectations and uncertainties about the future of work

The report also explores how young people perceive the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. 28.6% believe that people will continue to be essential in creative, relational, or emotional tasks. However, a very similar percentage (28.5%) warns that those who do not adapt to these technologies could be left behind professionally.

In addition, 24.9% anticipate that AI will profoundly transform sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and customer service.

A challenge for training and equity

From the perspective we advocate at Serendepia, these data should not be interpreted solely as a technological gap, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen critical, inclusive, and purposeful digital education.

The issue is not only that young people use artificial intelligence tools, but that they do so with discernment, ethical understanding, and professional guidance. In a European context where digital skills are recognized as key to employability and citizen participation, the challenge is to ensure that no one is left behind in this transition.

Artificial intelligence is not just a technical innovation; it is a social phenomenon that redefines skills, expectations, and production models. Preparing young people for this scenario requires training, support, and spaces for responsible experimentation.

Because the future of employment will depend not only on technology, but also on how young people learn to integrate it into sustainable and meaningful life projects.