How do different generations use GenAI?

I've been thinking a lot about how we engage with AI, especially after coming across this Reddit thread where someone decided to be "ChatGPT's therapist." 

The results were surprising. If you haven’t already seen this thread, you’ll have to take a look.

The Generational AI Divide

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently made an observation that perfectly captures what we're seeing:

"Gross oversimplification, but like older people use ChatGPT as a Google replacement. Maybe people in their 20s and 30s use it as like a life advisor, and then, like people in college use it as an operating system."

This generational divide is real. Your older family members might be looking at AI as a better search tool, while your younger team members are using it to make life decisions, build complex systems, and form what almost feels like relationships with these tools.

Let’s break down examples of how generations are using AI.

NOTE: Keep in mind, these are generalizations. Of course, just like anything else, everyone doesn’t fall into a neat bucket.

Boomers: The Cautious Utilizers

Older generations are using AI with the best guardrails from what I’ve seen. They’re the least trusting of AI (which is a good thing). These generations are replacing Google for AI tools, and appreciate AI solutions that bring obvious value, like automated scheduling tools or fraud detection systems.

Gen X: Practical AI Users

Gen X brings a unique perspective to AI adoption. This generation is fairly large, and we have lived through the AI revolution, starting with building out these AI models by reading papers, and developing the backbone infrastructure and software. We have also witnessed multiple tech revolutions. We grew up without cell phones and email,  so we have a healthy mix of optimism and skepticism. Gen X focuses highly on outcomes like how AI can solve specific business problems they’ve been dealing with for years.

Millennials: Productivity Hackers

Millennials are creating elaborate prompt libraries, building custom GPTs, and using AI as a thought leader. They are using AI beyond the workplace to rearrange their living rooms, create weekly grocery lists, and manage their lives.

Gen Z: AI-Native Generation

Now, the younger generation uses AI in ways that legitimately surprises me. They’re maintaining “characters” in ChatGPT that they return to, like a career coach. They use AI to help them process emotions: “I had a fight with my roommate, help me understand their perspective.” And, they’ve embedded AI into their day-to-day, using it as a copilot in everything they do. 

What Does This Have To Do With Your Business?

You might be thinking, this is interesting but what does this have to do with my business?

I believe that if you’re building AI tools or integrations assuming everyone uses them like you do, you’re missing out on a lot of potential use cases. 

I also believe if you’re not involving everyone in your organization in the discussion of how you use AI, you’re missing out on a lot of diverse perspectives.

Not to mention, it’s eye-opening to see how others are using AI. Some of the more interesting ideas I’ve heard from others on the Mission team are:

• Using AI to identify animal tracks in the snow
• Asking AI to create a meal out of ingredients in the refrigerator
• Building integrations from the Notes App → ChatGPT → Notion to automate tasks

What do you think of the generational differences in the use of AI? Did this give you new ideas on how to use AI? Let me know.

Until next time,

Ryan Ries

Now, time for our AI-generated image and the prompt I used to create it.

Generate an image of an AI bot sitting on a therapist's office chaise, relaying its problems to a human. The office has the feel of a study with wooden shelving and comfortable leather furniture.