The Millennial Nexus

How Generation Y is Shaping the AI Revolution

Google Gemini’s text to image (Given prompt was ‘Generation Y and the Age of Artificial Intelligence’.)

The unyielding rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be easily recognized as the most significant technology story of our time, fundamentally changing the way societies, economies, and lives are organized. And situated within this story is a generation that is more uniquely situated than any other, Generation Y, better known as Millennials. According to different studies, people belonging to this generation were born roughly between 1981 to 1996. Their youth came during the time of the “internet explosion” and the initial digital age, placing them in a position that cultivated a unique fluency and an inborn ability to adapt digitally (Howe & Strauss, 2000). This unique socio-historical moment positions this generation in a way that they’re not simply observer of AI and its impact but are playing an active role in integrating AI throughout every area of people’s lives as a designers and co-designers.

The impact of AI on Gen Y is likely most evident in the world of work. As we see automation by AI taking over simpler routine repetitive or labor-intensive tasks, Millennials are all having to transition to jobs that involve more of the unique and inherent human characteristics. Skills like critical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, emotional awareness, and interpersonal skills are going to be the skills that are critical to Millennial success as these are the areas AI has real limitations (Autor, 2015). This is going to be an ongoing process always upskilling and reskilling, which will continue to lead Gen Y professionals to operate more as strategic, collaborative, and human-centered employees. Gen Y professionals are not only using AI tools to replace some processes, they are using it to assist, augment, and amplify human capabilities. We are talking about artificial intelligence tools like advanced data analytics systems allowing for better business intelligence, to AI powered personal assistants to prioritize tasks and support workflow optimization. These AI tools are here to stay as tools to help the Gen Y workforces to be more productive and innovative (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014).

Outside of their professional lives, Millennials are influenced by AI on a daily basis. They are the first generation to be raised and comfortable using smart technologies that use AI for convenience and personalization. From AI recommendation algorithms, which support their entertainment choices and online shopping, to navigation software that shortens their commute, to voice assistants that manage everything in their personal lives (PwC, 2018), Millennials are not only users, but informal “testers” who are pushing the demand for more AI developed for consumer applications, with social responsibility in mind. Because of Millennials’ high familiarity with AI comes increased responsibility. Gen Y is the first generation to critically scrutinize the ethical implications of AI, including privacy issues, algorithmic discrimination, and threat of abuse (O’Neil, 2016). Their digital natives furniture is valuable in encouraging public thoughts and debate, and leaders in ensuring AI is developed and governed in a socially responsible way.

In addition, Millennials’ entrepreneurial mentality is taking on a new life in the age of AI. With more opportunities than ever to develop and deploy AI-led solutions, Millennials are in the ideal position to innovate and create new businesses that utilize AI to advance social causes or meet new marketable needs. Examples of that include AI-driven health solutions or healthcare startups; personalized education and learning platforms; etc. The Gen Y entrepreneurs of our time have the potential to make a great impact on the world by taking AI advancements from a theoretical exercise, to an actual consumable product and/or service. These entrepreneurs’ willingness to embrace disruption, and their comfort with prototyping, iterative development, and minimum viable product, fit well with the early days of AI innovation.

In summary, Generation Y’s particular historical experience of the turn of the digital age impacted their abilities and the ways in which they view themselves and the world around them. They will be the pivotal actors during this era of Artificial Intelligence. With their natural adaptability, fluency with digital mediums, and willingness to innovate in every aspect of digital life, they will be able to incorporate AI into their professional and private practices, and at the same time take the lead in the evolution of AI. As Artificial Intelligence matures and infiltrates all aspects of life, Gen Y will be the vital bridge to make responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, engage ethically with it, and eventually integrate it into society in a way that benefits all. Their foresight and eagerness will be necessary to navigate the intricacies and the immense possibilities of this weaponized technology.

References

Autor, D. H. (2015). Why are there still so many jobs? The history and future of workplace automation. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 29(3), 3–30.

Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company.

Deloitte. (2019). The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2019: Generational differences continue to widen. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. Vintage Books.

O’Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown.

PwC. (2018). Global Consumer Insights Survey 2018. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/consumer-industrial-products-services/assets/pwc-global-consumer-insights-survey-2018.pdf