Artificial intelligence and the ability of large language model (LLM) based programs to generate content (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) has taken the world by storm. So, the founder and CEO of Soul Zhang Lu had her team conduct a survey to understand how youngsters are responding to this technological innovation.
From music to videos and from meeting minutes to marketing copies and more, AIGC can do it all, often with a single mouse click or a simple prompt. In other words, this trailblazing technology is giving wings to the creativity of users no matter what their professional domain. And Gen Z seems only too happy to embrace the extraordinary potential of AIGC.
The survey was conducted by Just So Soul on behalf of Soul Boasting a user base that primarily comprises of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Soul App is well known to use artificial intelligence to power a number of its platform functions.
Nearly 3,500 Soul users responded to the 2024 survey that was launched to understand the impact of AIGC, the various ways in which it is being used, and the general attitude towards the technology. Of the people who participated in the survey, a mere 10% admitted that they had no exposure to AIGC products. In other words, a massive 90% of the respondents had used AIGC tools in a variety of ways.
This speaks volumes about the enthusiasm that youngsters harbor for the creative and professional applications of AIGC. Of course, a few concerns tinged this overall optimism. But Gen Z, which has grown up on a steady supply of technological innovations, is in a unique position to fully realize the potential of this pioneering technology.
While applications capable of human-machine interaction are the most popular AIGC products, the technological marvel is being used for more than just casual banter. This technology has opened the doorway to a world where computers can be creative partners, generate ideas, brainstorm concepts, and even provide helpful feedback.
In fact, the collaborative and hence the moneymaking potential of AIGC is certainly one of the factors that is drawing youngsters towards the technology. In particular, AIGC brings along the promise of exceptional efficiency and a remarkable increase in productivity for professionals in sales and marketing, art, communication, software development, product designing, academia, and others.
So, as expected the survey conducted by the team of Soul Zhang Lu revealed that Gen Z is starting to view AIGC not just as a creative tool but also as a potential path to financial gain. Of the respondents, over 14% said that they had already used AIGC to generate income, and a whopping 43% planned to do so in the future. This entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with their digital fluency, positions Gen Z perfectly to leverage AIGC for financial success.
While Zoomers are generally excited about the creative and efficiency-enhancing possibilities of AIGC, the survey also reveals a healthy dose of caution. Nearly one-half of the respondents expressed concerns about AI replacing human jobs. Undeniably, this is a valid concern. Advancements in artificial intelligence are expected to potentially automate tasks currently performed by humans, and this would, of course, lead to job displacement in certain sectors.
Despite this, the Soul Zhang Lu initiated survey pointed to a remarkably positive outlook. In fact, many youngsters seem to have turned even that little bit of pessimism on its head. Many respondents reported viewing AIGC as a tool that can actually free up users from tedious tasks, allowing more time for strategic and creative endeavors. Actually, expectations are rife that this shift could lead to a future workplace where humans and AI work in tandem, with each leveraging their strengths for greater efficiency and innovation.
But AIGC is not just about professional excellence. Social connectivity and digital companionship are two other areas in which AIGC is causing significant ripples. For instance, according to the team of Soul Zhang Lu, the survey found that 60% of the App’s young users have already experimented with AI-powered social media platforms.
The most striking fact is that this openness towards AI interaction goes beyond mere exploration, as nearly a third of the respondents expressed a willingness to befriend an AI companion.
Although this might seem like something out of a futuristic film, it highlights a growing need for meaningful connections in our increasingly digital world. Gen Z is lonelier than its predecessors; not to mention youngsters today live in a fiercely competitive environment both academically and professionally. While the internet has made communication easier, it has not been able to curb the sense of loneliness and its mental ramifications experienced by young individuals who seem to be constantly on their feet and on the move.
Through all of this chaos, Zoomers often seek fleeting yet meaningful connections and AIGC is available to lend a helping hand. From sifting through vast amounts of data to find the most relevant information to pinpointing people and ideologies that resonate with the user and even providing support and encouragement, AIGC can do it all.
In fact, the technology is more than capable of engaging in stimulating conversations on a variety of topics and in the most human-like way, something that the chatbots of the past could never do. So, while AIGC cannot replace human friendship and interactions, AIGC products can certainly provide companionship during lonely times.
Yes, there are ethical implications of AI friendships that need careful consideration, but this survey from Soul Zhang Lu and her team suggests that Gen Z sure is open to exploring the potential benefits of this technology in more ways than one.
