Gen Z Grows Up Fluent in AI, Giving Them a Unique Edge

Kiara Nirghin, a Stanford technologist and Gen Z entrepreneur, emphasized that the younger generation is not adopting AI, but rather growing up fluent in it. She made this statement at the Fortune Brainstorm AI conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. Nirghin, who co-founded Chima, a U.S.-based applied AI research lab, explained that young entrepreneurs see coding as something to be done alongside AI agents, rather than done alone and from scratch. According to Nirghin, AI fundamentally changes how individuals write, take tests, and apply to jobs or different applications. She noted that this is not because AI is being used to replace human effort entirely, but rather because it enables people to work alongside AI models or agents. "Its actually being able to do that with different models or agents, side by side," Nirghin said. This approach, she believes, sets Gen Z individuals apart from their older peers, allowing them to pioneer use cases and applications of AI that have yet to be unlocked. Nirghin's comments come at a time when some experts have argued that AI has eroded our critical thinking abilities. However, she sees AI fluency as an asset, rather than a liability. "Were growing up fluent in AI," Nirghin said, highlighting the importance of understanding and working with AI tools. This perspective is in line with the views of many in the tech industry, who see AI as a tool that can augment human capabilities, rather than replace them. The rise of AI tools such as ChatGPT has brought on complaints that students and young employees rely too much on AI to do everything from completing homework to writing emails. However, Nirghin's comments suggest that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead, she sees it as a sign of the younger generation's comfort and proficiency with AI. As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into our daily lives, it is likely that this trend will only continue. Nirghin's views on AI fluency are not without controversy. Some experts have raised concerns about the potential risks of relying too heavily on AI, including the loss of critical thinking skills and the potential for AI to perpetuate biases. However, Nirghin's perspective highlights the importance of understanding and working with AI tools, rather than simply relying on them. The implications of AI fluency for society are far-reaching. As more and more people grow up with AI as a part of their daily lives, it is likely that we will see new and innovative applications of AI that we have not yet imagined. Nirghin's comments suggest that the younger generation is well-positioned to lead the way in this area, and that their comfort and proficiency with AI will be a key factor in driving innovation and progress.