As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, a generation that has grown up alongside technology is weighing in on its future impact. Generation Z, known for their digital savvy, offers a nuanced perspective on whether AI will revolutionize society or fall short of expectations.
European Union’s AI Act: Setting the Stage
On Wednesday, European Union lawmakers gave final approval to the bloc’s AI act, aiming to regulate the rapidly advancing technology across its 27 member nations. The legislation seeks to balance innovation with safeguards against potential risks, signaling a significant step in global AI governance.
Sora: Pushing the Boundaries of AI Creativity
OpenAI’s latest text-to-video model, Sora, has made waves across various industries, notably in filmmaking. Capable of converting text instructions into minute-long high-definition videos, Sora can generate complex scenes with multiple characters, specific motions, and detailed backgrounds. It can also animate still images to extend existing videos while maintaining visual consistency.
Challenges of AI: Deep Fakes and Misinformation
Despite the breakthroughs, AI’s darker side cannot be ignored. Recent incidents, such as fake shopping ads featuring Taylor Swift on social media and AI deep fakes of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, highlight the technology’s potential for misuse. Siwei Lyu, a computer science professor at the University at Buffalo’s Media Forensics Lab, noted that such forgeries are often produced using text-to-speech services and lip-syncing programs, raising concerns about misinformation and digital deception.
Gen Z’s Perspective: A Measured Outlook
To understand how the youngest adult generation views these developments, we spoke with students from around the globe. Many acknowledge AI’s significance but question whether it will be as transformative as some predict. “AI is definitely going to be a big thing in the coming years,” said Arjun, a university student from India. “But I’m not convinced it will be as revolutionary as everyone expects.”
Maria, a technology student from the Philippines, shared a similar sentiment. “AI has incredible potential, but we need to be cautious. The risks of misinformation and job displacement are real concerns.”
The Road Ahead: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
Gen Z’s cautious optimism reflects a broader call for responsible AI development. As policymakers, technologists, and society grapple with AI’s trajectory, the voices of the youth emphasize the need for balance—embracing innovation while mitigating risks.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
