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Brief

¡°Cautiously Optimistic¡±: Young People¡¯s Thoughts about the Impacts and Influences of Generative Artificial Intelligence

This brief examines young adults' views on Generative AI's impact on their lives and its potential influence on children and future generations.

Date Published
17 Mar 2025
Authors
Sarah Cleland Jaimee Stuart
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Introduction

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a new concept, awareness and use of AI-driven technologies have expanded rapidly with the popularization of Generative AI tools. Globally, a large proportion of young people grow up embedded within a socio-technical context where digital devices and internet connectivity are omnipresent parts of life, meaning they are likely to engage with technology from an early age. However, Generative AI presents many novel opportunities and challenges for individuals and societies, particularly for young people and their future career and education prospects.

In this rapidly changing context, our understanding of the potential future impacts of Generative AI on social development and well-being is limited, and we are only in the early stages of unpacking its impacts.

To shed light on this topic, this research brief qualitatively examines how young adults think and feel about Generative AI and its impacts on their lives, as well as the potential influences on children and young people in the future. As such, we draw upon youth voices to help understand the positive and negative future imaginaries of Generative AI.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, three recommendations are made for future research and action.  

  • Collaboration with Young People in the Development of Future Polices.
  • Regulations and Safeguards for Generative AI Platforms.
  • Increase Generative AI Education and Literacy for Young People.

 

Access the full research brief here: "Cautiously Optimistic": Young people¡¯s thoughts about the impacts and influences of Generative Artificial Intelligence.

Suggested citation: Sarah Cleland, Stuart Jaimee. ¡°Cautiously Optimistic¡±: Young People¡¯s Thoughts about the Impacts and Influences of Generative Artificial Intelligence : ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Macau, 2025.