
Gen Z Using AI for Polywork, Cyber Crime Losses Spike, Copilot’s AI Oops
From THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast by Paychex, Inc.
April 16, 2026 · 10 min · Season 6 · Episode 21
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of AI on Gen Z's job search and polywork, the rising costs of cybercrime, and Microsoft's acknowledgment of issues with its Copilot AI.
Artificial intelligence is working for and against Gen Z, hindering their first job searches while also enabling them to manage workloads as they engage in polywork. Gene Marks looks at the latest trend of the new generation of workers, as well as what this eventually could mean for the labor market. In other news, cybercrime is costly – nearly $22 billion in losses in 2025, according to an FBI report. Gene suggests training and other precautionary steps for businesses. Plus, a Microsoft mea culpa. Its Copilot AI terms of service state it is not reliable and should not be used for important decisions, but the tech giant claimed those were out of date. Do your due diligence. Listen to the podcast. Topics:00:00 – Introduction00:18 – Gen Z, AI, and Polywork02:28 – Cyber Crime Financial Costs05:55 – Microsoft’s Copilot “mistake”08:35 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Cybersecurity Plan: https://bit.ly/cybersecurity-plan DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional…
People in this episode
Host: Gene Marks
Topics covered
- Gen Z
- Artificial Intelligence
- Polywork
- Cyber Crime
- Microsoft Copilot
- Labor Market
Keywords
- Gen Z
- AI
- Polywork
- Cyber Crime
- Microsoft
- Copilot
- Labor Market
- FBI Report
- Business Precautions
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Paychex, Inc., Microsoft, FBI
Products: Copilot
Places: Gen Z
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