The AI resisters

Resistance to AI is bubbling up among some workers, students, coders, and creatives. Some are placing new value on work that's untouched by AI. Some AI resisters worry about its carbon footprint. Others take pride in human-made work and don't trust AI's output. Plenty just don't want to become overly reliant on it. "I think it's important I do this myself" was the top reason college students in the class of 2026 gave for avoiding AI in brainstorming, writing, and research, according to a new report from Handshake, a career network. 49 percent of Gen Zers surveyed by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation are worried AI will corrode their ability to think critically. 41 percent say generative AI tools make them anxious.