With the mainstream success of ChatGPT, AI has made its breakthrough online, gaining favour with young people. But while younger generations may be more accustomed to these tools, they don’t necessarily envisage using them for the same reasons.
In the latest survey from YPulse, 1,500 young people aged 13-39 were asked how they would engage with an AI-powered chatbot. Responses varied by age, but reflected the concerns and needs of young people in their personal and professional lives.
According to the study, the main reason why young Generation Z (aged 13-17) would use an AI-powered chatbot is to help them with their studies – which is also the reason most cited by young adults aged 18-24.
Young Gen Z-ers say they would like to use AI to help them solve math problems, write essays, or find information for homework. Some also suggest that AI could help them learn new skills or improve their understanding of certain subjects.
This could be a worrying state of affairs, according to a recent study by Pew Research Center that showed 25% of US teachers feel that AI tools are doing more harm than good in primary and secondary education.
Meanwhile, young adults and millennials (aged 25-39) want to use AI to help them in their professional lives. According to the survey, the main reason they would like to use a chatbot is to get financial advice, such as investment or savings recommendations. This is followed by advice on schoolwork and finding a job.
As well as looking for help with their professional lives, some young people say they would turn to ChatGPT and other AI tools for help with their love lives. Specifically, “relationship advice” is cited by the 18-24 age group, coming in eighth on their list of priorities.
In 2023, talking about mental health was one of the top trends on TikTok. Accordingly, the 13-17 and 25-39 age groups said they would ask AI for advice on mental health. This topic, however, is not cited by 18- to 24-year-olds.
Finally, YPulse reports that 68% of young people aged 13-39 have already either used an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or an AI-powered image generator like DALL-E. This trend is particularly strong among young adults aged 18-24, 75% of whom have already used an AI chatbot; while levels remain high among teens (52% of 13- to 17-year-olds) and millennials (57% of 25- to 39-year-olds).