Young People Express Skepticism Towards AI Hype and Content

A growing segment of young people is demonstrating skepticism toward the extensive hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), even as they utilize the technology for schoolwork and social interactions. This trend emerged following years of aggressive marketing campaigns for AI tools.

Market research firm YPulse found that 37 percent of teens aged 13 to 17 report feeling cringe when encountering AI-generated content like music and videos. Furthermore, over half of this age group expressed worries about misinformation and deepfakes, indicating an awareness of the technology's potential downsides.

The data reveals a complex attitude among youth. While a majority of American teens report using AI chatbots, their enthusiasm is mixed. A recent Pew Research report indicated that many teens believe AI will be beneficial personally, yet more than a quarter of them anticipate a negative societal impact from AI in the next two decades, citing concerns such as job displacement, erosion of critical thinking skills, and environmental consequences.

Melanie Green, a communications professor at the University at Buffalo, suggests that AI's reception differs from previous technological shifts. She noted that the current moral apprehension does not originate from older generations. Instead, younger individuals are reportedly turned off by how AI is promoted by adults and tech corporations. Green added that young people are “acutely aware that whatever disruption happens, their generation is going to be bearing the brunt of it.”

This distrust is evident on social media platforms like Bluesky and Reddit, where parents share anecdotes about their children's AI aversion. Children are reportedly using phrases like “that’s AI” to mean “that’s bullshit.” Educators also observe that students, even those who use AI, voice concerns about its ramifications and express dislike for AI-produced art.