Gen Z Turns to ChatGPT for Personal Guidance, Says Sam Altman

Young people are no longer using ChatGPT only as a search engine. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, many in Generation Z now use the AI chatbot as a “life advisor” and even an “operating system” for their daily lives.

Speaking at AI Ascent hosted by Sequoia Capital in May, Altman discussed how different generations use ChatGPT in different ways. He explained that older generations tend to use it as a search engine or as a replacement for Google, while millennials and Gen Z are increasingly relying on it for personal guidance and everyday decision-making.

Altman said many college students now use ChatGPT extensively in their daily routines. They connect it to their files, save detailed prompts, and rely on it when making decisions about personal matters.

“We know from the previous data that they don’t really make life decisions without consulting ChatGPT on what they should do,” Altman said.

OpenAI previously stated that more than one-third of Americans aged 18 to 24 use ChatGPT, making college-age young adults one of the platform’s fastest-growing user groups.

According to Fortune, more people are using ChatGPT for a wide range of purposes, including relationship advice, business problem-solving, medical questions, and even emotional support similar to therapy conversations.

Experts have begun debating the growing dependence on artificial intelligence in decision-making. Several studies have raised concerns about relying too heavily on AI-generated advice, especially in critical areas such as health, safety, and ethics.

A 2023 study cited by Fortune warned users to be cautious when using ChatGPT for safety-related information and emphasized the importance of expert verification and strong ethical standards. Another study suggested that large language models may not always be reliable when providing emotional or social advice.

However, some researchers argue that using AI tools for everyday guidance may not necessarily be harmful and could even provide benefits in certain situations.

OpenAI Says AI Will Not Replace Humans

Concerns about AI adoption have also grown following reports that employees at King, the developer of Candy Crush Saga, lost their jobs after helping develop AI systems capable of automating parts of their work.

Altman acknowledged that the transition toward a more AI-driven society would significantly change traditional jobs. However, he argued that technological transformation has historically created new forms of employment and improved living standards over time.

“We know from the time when the smartphone was first released,” Altman said during the Sequoia event. “Every child could use it very well, while older people took years to understand basic functions.”

Source : https://en.tempo.co/read/2102973/openai-ceo-sam-altman-gen-z-uses-chatgpt-for-life-decisions?tracking_page_direct