Gen Z do not fear AI because they don’t understand it.

They hate AI because they do understand it.

Read more: Gen X to Gen Z – I’m with you on AI

Not all Gen Z, but many of them. Most of them. We need to listen to them.

And when we listen, we see their hatred is well founded.

Is it really “hatred”? Yes.

Though perhaps that feeling is about what we are trying, or threatening, to do with AI rather than the technology itself. And also, with an observation of what we’ve done with other technology leaps in their lifetimes.

I believe there is a strong natural bond between Gen X (aged 46-61) and Gen Z (aged 14-29). It is something that the Millennials mostly missed (aged 30-45). Perhaps it is because I have two awesome Gen Z daughters. We’ll circle back to this link shortly.

The Gen Z backlash

We’ve probably seen the recent videos of speakers at university graduation ceremonies getting loudly booed for mentioning anything to do with AI. Some speakers, like Eric Schmidt (ex-Google CEO worth over $60bn USD), at the University of Arizona graduation were rather combative and belittling using phrases like “I know what many of you are feeling … there is fear”.

No Eric, it is not fear, it is clearer than that. Gen Z understand the likely impacts of AI quite well and they are saying no to the plans.

Still, Eric was less combative than Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records, who was also met with jeers at Middle Tennessee State University. His response to graduates: “deal with it” and “hear me now or pay me later”.

Beyond just their careers and ability to accumulate assets Gen Z really resist the slop. AI slop. I’ve been shocked just how strongly Gen Z feel about this slop. It is real anger and aversion to having their information and social environments polluted. AI posts. AI pictures. AI videos. AI music. AI everywhere.

Platforms are not listening to their Gen Z users (products), which is a mistake.

Brands are not listening to their Gen Z customers, but that is an error.

Companies are not listening to their Gen Z staff, and that is also misguided. AI is a powerful tool when used for the right things in the right way. I think most Gen Z do get this, but they want a lot of say about how it impacts their futures.

Why do I see a generational link between Gen X and Gen Z?

Gen X had a front row seat to the impacts of the 1980’s neo-liberal reforms in the UK (Thatcher), United States (Reagan), and other countries like my home of New Zealand (Rogernomics).

Often for Gen X our children are Gen Z and we experienced them being hit by the social media “experiment” of the mid 2010’s. Gen Z also noticed the harm done to them to monetize them as products.

Meanwhile, Gen Z hear that home ownership is unrealistic, while most of the rest of us, including Millennials, have our asset base.

Gen Z also got hit with large debt to get the education they were told they needed to have for any chance of a good future. And now that rug has been pulled out by boastful narratives of AI taking jobs, with a special focus on entry level roles that would get them on the career ladder. And companies wonder why the Gen Z backlash.

AI founders and some corporate leaders are often not even bothered enough to use the old neoliberal pretense of “trickle-down” benefits. They are, however, victim blaming.

We hear that Gen Z are sabotaging AI, and that is why there are few financial benefits coming through. Nothing to do with using probabilistic approaches to solving deterministic problems. Not even bad data or papering over tech-debt and inefficient processes.

It is also heartening to see that Gen Z are largely not falling for the line that they just need to worry about themselves and make sure they climb above the other Zoomers and they will be fine. Unfortunately, too many Gen X did fall for this in the 80s; we called them yuppies at the time (think American Psycho).

What do I think about AI? Well, I haven’t landed on a single view. It is love-hate. But this isn’t about what I think, it is about Gen X supporting Gen Z. This is about recognizing that Gen Z have very valid concerns and absolutely ought to have a significant say in how we progress.

The Photo

The photo I’ve used for this post is from the cover of the banger of a rock album London Calling released in early 1980 by the British punk band The Clash.

Photographer Pennie Smith captured basis Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass guitar in anger about standing restrictions at the Palladium in New York City. Named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, it captures the angst and frustration of Gen X. This photo captured the feeling of Gen X.

It reminds me a lot of the feeling I hear coming out of Gen Z. It is also the sort of great art that AI will just never understand. Even the photographer said it would be a poor choice due to being technically flawed. But the lead singer and artist loved it.

We support you

So, Gen Z, I support your concerns about AI and your futures, and I think you’ll find many Gen X support you.

Kind regards

Michael D. Stark