As the naming of the consecutive Generations X, Y and Z comes to an end of the alphabet, a leader just recently asked me: “What do you think comes next?” My answer was clear, namely that we’ll “re-start” the alphabet – with:

Generation AI 

Looking “back” at Generation X – and without personal nostalgia but myself born 1969 which is between 1965 and 1980 – this generation, especially considering its childhood, is the last one who observed the unique transition of a society without internet to a world with – and a worldwide coverage with mobility and smartphones. This impresses me.

So, what could be this essential shift for todays babies, toddlers and soon new born kids? Let’s suggest Generation AI – for the ones born between 2010 and 2025

What will be the uniqueness of Generation AI? 

I suppose it’s most probably the transition from living without noteworthy AI to a humankind with full AI availability and coverage – assuming an average lifetime into years way beyond 2100. Thinking a little more general, in this life span humans might evolve from the naturally most intelligent species on this planet to individuals and a society “artificially” augmented and enhanced with computer based (exponential) technologies, information and intelligence.

Also the range of pervasion – not only for AI – will probably be from micro scale inside our bodies, to brain-computer-interfaces, our close and distant surroundings, to networks, out in the clouds and a global ether or – who knows – possibly even into space.

What’s our responsibility?

Thinking a few more steps ahead this already born Generation AI will also be the parents of the next later following “Generation Singularity” – born between 2040 and 2055 – so their journey will be even more exciting and responsible for our planet, ethics and our common good as humanity (as it always has been).

Reflecting on the magnitude of this, brings me back to Yuval Noah Harari and his clear recommendation in 21 Lessons for the 21st Century – ”Meditation – Just observe”:

“We had better understand our minds before the algorithms make our minds up for us.”

Quellen:

• Wilson, Daugherty, Morini (2017), The Jobs That Artificial Intelligence Will Create, MIT Sloan Management Review, Cambridge (MIT Press)

Dieser Beitrag von Jan A. Poczynek ist erstmals im Juni 2019 auf LinkedIn erschienen.

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