Generation Z and Artificial Intelligence: A Dynamic Relationship

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, Generation Z, the demographic born between 1997 and 2012, is carving out an intriguing relationship with artificial intelligence. A new study conducted by the paper-writing service EduBirdie sheds light on this complex dynamic, revealing that a significant portion of Gen Z perceives AI as a potentially conscious entity.

According to the study, which surveyed 2,000 Gen Z individuals, a quarter believe that AI is already conscious. More strikingly, over half of the respondents, 52 percent, predict that AI will achieve consciousness in the near future. This sense of inevitability is accompanied by a palpable apprehension, with 58 percent of participants expressing concerns that AI could eventually “take over” the world. Of these, 44 percent foresee such a takeover occurring within the next two decades.

The Polite AI Interactions

Given these anxieties about AI’s potential power, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a large majority of Gen Z respondents—69 percent—report treating AI chatbots with courtesy, using phrases like “please” and “thank you.” This behavior aligns with findings from a late 2024 TechRadar survey, which showed a similar courtesy among AI users in the US and UK, with 67 percent of Americans and 71 percent of Brits acknowledging politeness toward AI like ChatGPT. Intriguingly, 12 percent of those surveyed admitted their politeness was motivated by fears of a future AI dominance.

The AI Consciousness Debate

The question of AI consciousness is a contentious topic in academic and technological circles. Prior to the widespread recognition of models like ChatGPT, Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and former chief scientist of OpenAI, hinted at the possibility of AI consciousness in a cryptic tweet from February 2022. His statement, suggesting that “large neural networks are slightly conscious,” ignited a whirlwind of debate among machine learning professionals and academics.

The ensuing discussions often divide experts into two camps: those who believe in the potential for AI to develop consciousness and those who dismiss the notion as fantastical. The debate was further fueled by the controversial claims of Blake Lemoine, a Google engineer who was dismissed after asserting that Google’s LaMDA had exhibited signs of sentience.

Societal Reflections and Speculations

These discussions are not purely academic; they highlight a broader societal unrest and curiosity regarding AI. As AI continues to be developed to mimic human interactions more accurately, our relationships with these technologies will inevitably evolve in unexpected ways. This evolving dynamic suggests a future where emerging technologies increasingly blur the lines between machine and consciousness, forming new societal norms and beliefs.

While experts largely agree that AI has not yet achieved consciousness, the mere suggestion of its possibility captures the imagination and concern of the public. This tension is likely to drive further debate and development in AI technology in the years to come.

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Note: This article is inspired by content from futurism.com. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.