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SKEMA x EY Talent Barometer: AI already embedded in the habits of a new generation
Artificial intelligence is already part of everyday life for students and recent graduates. That is one of the main findings of the latest 2026 Talent Barometer produced for SKEMA and EY by Ipsos-BVA Group. It points to a generation already familiar with generative AI tools and attentive to their impact on work.
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.
