Gen Z AI skills could boost earning power with new technology

AI skills linked to earning power

Mariana Antaya, a 25-year-old former Microsoft product manager, believes AI knowledge has become an important skill for increasing earning power. She says AI allows her to complete more tasks and create value faster.

“The number of things and tasks that I can do, and the speed that I can do it at, ultimately increases and raises the way that I can create value to other people, to shareholders,” says the New York-based entrepreneur.

Antaya studied mathematics and computer science at university, where she learned the basics of AI. She began using large language models such as ChatGPT soon after they became available, including for Formula 1 predictions and Premier League forecasts.

From job search to Microsoft

Coding became one of Antaya’s main uses for AI as she developed her technical skills. After graduating in 2023, she applied for dozens of technology jobs in management, software engineering and design.

She eventually secured an internship at Microsoft, where she worked on voice features. She later developed evaluation frameworks and tools for AI voice models.

Antaya now creates AI-focused products and shares details of her work online. She says showing what a person has actually built can be more useful than simply collecting qualifications.

“If you have an actual receipt of what you built and you're able to publish it online, other people are able to see it as useful proof,” she says. “That goes way further than any sort of little badge.”

Young workers show strong AI interest

Antaya uses AI for several daily tasks, including scheduling, preparing email replies, analysing large amounts of data and collecting webinar information from Zoom. She believes knowing how to use AI effectively can create more opportunities.

“That's what I did. And it has honestly led me to so many more opportunities than I could have ever imagined.”

Young workers also appear more positive about AI’s possible impact on their careers than older generations. A 2025 PwC survey of more than 2,000 young workers in the UK found that 67% of Gen Z expected AI to improve their productivity, while nearly half expected it to improve salary and job security.

Projects may matter more than certificates

Matthew Chancey, a certified financial planner and founder of Tax Alpha Companies, said free AI training can provide significant value. He noted that much training material that once required tuition is now available for free from companies developing AI tools.

Chancey advises people to check who created a course, how recently it was updated and whether it leads to a completed project. He said practical work can provide stronger evidence of skills than completing a simple quiz.

For people considering paid AI training, Chancey recommends checking whether their employer can cover the cost. Many companies offer education or training benefits, although some workers do not use them.

Time can be an important investment

AI learning can require a significant investment of time, but people do not always need to spend large amounts of money to build useful skills. Free courses, company resources and practical projects can provide starting points for learners.

The focus can be placed on using AI to solve real problems and improve everyday work. Building useful projects can also give workers something concrete to show potential employers.

Using extra income wisely

If AI skills lead to higher earnings, financial experts suggest using some of the additional income to strengthen long-term financial security. Building an emergency fund, reducing debt and saving for retirement can help improve financial stability.

The wider message is that AI skills may be more valuable when they are combined with practical experience. For young workers, learning how to use these tools effectively could become an important part of career development.

AI is changing how many young workers approach their careers and daily tasks. The experience of Mariana Antaya shows how practical AI use can become part of a person’s professional work.

Training does not always have to mean paying for an expensive course. Free resources, employer support and real projects can also help people develop useful AI skills.

Also read: Google plans to charge for AI-powered search engine, FT reports

Also read: Apple unveils Ai-powered messages app with iOS 27