SKEMA x EY Talent Barometer: AI already embedded in the habits of a new generation

Based on responses from 1,609 students and recent graduates, the 2026 Talent Barometer confirms a clear expectation: not less AI, but more structure, training and direction. The figures are striking: 96% of respondents have already used generative AI tools, while 61% use them at least once a day. Usage has now moved beyond experimentation: 70% use AI to save time on practical tasks, 56% to learn, and 41% to support decision-making.

Strong expectations towards employers

This widespread adoption comes with a clear message for employers. Some 79% of respondents want training in AI tools, 40% expect an ethical framework, while 48% insist that AI should remain a support tool rather than a means of control.

For Amine Ezzerouali, Academic Director of the MSc in International Human Resources & Performance Management at SKEMA Business School, the challenge now lies in integrating these uses within a responsible framework: “At SKEMA Business School, we do not simply train students to use artificial intelligence: we prepare talents who can understand its implications, master its uses and turn it into a lever for responsible transformation within organisations.”

The barometer also shows that young people remain clear-eyed: 74% believe AI may threaten entry-level roles within companies.

Critical thinking remains central

In response to these changes, 60% rank critical thinking as the most important skill for professional success, ahead of emotional intelligence and creativity. Another key finding is that 74% of young respondents now place salary at the top of their professional priorities, reflecting a more pragmatic relationship with work in a context perceived as uncertain.