Gen Z, AI and shaping the new workforce: A conversation with Sarina Malik

In this episode of Catalyst, Tammy sits down with Sarina Malik, a recent Columbia University graduate entering the workforce at a time when AI is reshaping every industry. Sarina studied environmental science and sustainability, earned her UX design certification from BrainStation and has been working with AI tools throughout her education. Tammy and Sarina discuss entry level jobs, the ethics of AI and the future of work.

Highlights from the episode include:

• AI literacy requires standardized training. Schools and institutions lack clear boundaries around AI use, creating anxiety and ambiguity. Sarina argues for standardized education on AI’s flaws paired with context-specific training on appropriate use cases.
• Correcting for overconfidence. Recent surveys show Gen Z scores high on understanding AI tools but dangerously low on recognizing its limitations. This gap between confidence and critical thinking poses risks and requires stronger education.
• Make learning a daily habit. Drawing from the book Atomic Habits, Sarina emphasizes small, incremental knowledge-building each day. She uses ChatGPT’s conversational interface as a learning tool, tapping into humans’ social nature to make education feel natural and accessible.

Check out the full episode to hear more about Gen Z and the solo economy and how AI tools are fueling a rise in individual entrepreneurship and experimentation.

Enjoying Catalyst? Don’t forget to like and subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday.

Please note that the views expressed in this episode may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA.