Talkin' 'Bout My Generation: Three Surprising Takeaways From Our AI Poll
Poll reveals generational divides in AI attitudes
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
How do you feel about artificial intelligence? Your answer may be influenced by your generational group. That’s a big takeaway from our informal AI poll of Dickinsonians. And while some of the correlations were expected, there were also a few surprises.
Nearly 200 Dickinson alumni completed the survey. Each answered questions about how they feel about AI risks and about rapid AI developments, what excites and concerns them about AI and related questions. Baby Boomers comprised the biggest respondent group (69 respondents). Generation X came in next (44), followed by Millennials (41), Generation Z (21) and the Greatest/Silent Generation (16). Here's what they told us.
The big picture
In general, AI optimism—and uncertainty—rose with age. Different generations also reported distinct ideas about AI use: Younger respondents were most excited about how AI could increase job satisfaction and allow for greater personalization of and access to goods and services. Older respondents were more impressed with AI’s potential for productivity and efficiency gains. Here are our top takeaways:
Breaking it down
1: The oldest generation is the least worried—and the most unsure.
In answer to the question “How do you feel when you learn about rapid AI developments?” respondents could select "excited," "a little concerned, but I believe we're on the right track," "very concerned" or "unsure."
The top answer overall was “a little concerned, but I believe we’re on the right track,” with “very concerned” coming in a close second. These were also the top two answers for every generational group except the oldest: The Silent/Greatest Generation's top answer was a tie between “a little concerned ..." and “unsure."
2. Gen Z is the most concerned ... and the most excited.
Compared to other generational groups, Gen Z respondents claimed the highest percentage of “very concerned” responses to the question above. They also gave us the highest percentage of "very excited" answers.
3. For Gen Z, it’s about job satisfaction.
Every other group’s top answer to “What excites you most about AI?” was the potential for “increased productivity/efficiency.” But Zs are most excited about AI’s potential to bring them greater job satisfaction.
Interestingly, Gen Z is also the group the least interested in AI’s potential to enhance decision-making, innovation and creativity.
Bonus: What about Boomers, Xers and Millennials?
Here are a few findings about our other generational groups:
Baby Boomers:
- Compared to all other generational groups, Boomers are the most enthusiastic about AI’s potential to increase productivity/efficiency (three times more so than Gen Z!).
- Boomers are twice as likely to use AI at work occasionally than daily or never.
- While Gen Z is the most worried about rapid AI developments in comparison to other generational groups, there's a Boomer subgroup that's even more skittish: Boomers who never use AI at work (including retirees) are more than four times more likely be “very concerned” about rapid AI developments than all other respondents. This includes older (Silent Generation) respondents who also have never used AI at work. .
Gen X:
- Gen X is the most moderate generational group, with the lowest percentage of “very concerned” and “not concerned” answers.
- The average Gen Xer uses generative AI several times a week.
Millennials:
- According to this poll, Millennials are largely enthusiastic about AI.
- Millennials are two times more likely than other generational cohorts to tout both AI’s potential to increase efficiency/productivity and to enhance job satisfaction.
- Millennials are the group most excited by AI-assisted personalization and access (Zs came in a close second).
- Millennials are more likely than Zs, but less so than older respondents, to feel unsure about AI.
Want to learn more?
Check out our Dickinson Magazine article about this poll and our Alumni in AI series.
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Published August 29, 2024