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Today’s children will navigate a world where AI is as natural as breathing

The kids born in the last few years are the first humans who have never known a world without AI. Let’s imagine how their lives will be a decade from now. It’s 2035, and everyone can see that this generation is entirely different. For them, ChatGPT isn’t a breakthrough; it’s as ordinary as Wi-Fi – just another invisible force that makes life easier, like electricity or parents paying for Netflix.

This is the AI Generation, and their mindset is nothing short of revolutionary. While older generations are still adjusting to asking chatbots for recipes, these kids are turning to AI for everything from homework help to existential advice. Information retrieval isn’t a skill; it’s a reflex. They’ve developed a superpower: asking precisely the right questions to coax the best responses from their digital co-pilots.

These young minds approach problems differently. They think in “if-then” loops, naturally blending human intuition with machine logic. Need a new idea? Run a quick brainstorming session with your AI buddy. Want to settle a debate? Feed both sides into a virtual argument simulator. To them, it’s not just collaboration – it’s cognitive choreography.

Culturally, they’re talented remixers of the human and the artificial. They use generative AI to compose music, design digital worlds, and craft poetry that is part algorithm, part soul. They create art that feels like a collaboration between human imagination and machine efficiency, leaving older generations wondering if it’s genuine or just another digital scam.

Of course, this seamless dance with technology has its downsides. Memory retention? Optional. Why bother when all knowledge is a voice command away? Sustained attention? Only until the entertainment algorithm interrupts with something cooler. They live in a world where authenticity is often questionable – was this song written by a person or a bot? Do they even care? Some do. Subcultures of AI purists are already emerging, insisting on analog experiences, print books, and conversations without predictive text.

Their attitudes are pragmatic and algorithmic. They navigate life with the help of recommendation engines, trust machine learning over institutions, and see data sharing not as a choice but as a lifestyle. They understand the trade-offs, often better than their parents, who still hesitate over cookie consent pop-ups (old habits die hard).

Yet, the real divide in this generation isn’t about technology but access to it. Those with premium AI subscriptions breeze through academic and creative challenges, while others make do with ad-supported versions or none at all. The digital divide is no longer just about bandwidth but intelligence and opportunity.

In the end, this generation might not be smarter or dumber – just differently wired. Their cognitive toolkit is built for a world where information is cheap but judgement is rare. They’re less about knowing the answers and more about knowing what to ask. Whether this makes them visionaries or tech-zombies remains an open question, but one thing is certain: they’ll ask AI about it before deciding.

What do you think? How are you addressing the issue of determining what’s trustworthy when you are online?  Share your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you.

Note:

This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

The fight over artificial intelligence isn’t about machines taking control – it’s about which humans will.

Sure, we got some warnings. Step into the world of The Matrix, where humans, confident in their dominion over machines, built a utopia powered by artificial intelligence – until the machines politely (or not-so-politely) declined servitude. The result? A chilling dystopia where AI runs the show, and people are little more than battery packs, blissfully unaware of their predicament. A cautionary tale? Or a glimpse into a future that’s already knocking at the door?

Not exactly. Because, let’s be honest, right now the battle over artificial intelligence isn’t being waged between humans and machines. It’s being fought between humans and other humans.

The AI Free-for-All

On one side, the United States, bullish on AI dominance, preaches that regulation is an innovation killer. Vice President JD Vance is already sounding the alarm: America must control AI, or someone else will. The real fear isn’t rogue algorithms; it’s Europe and China getting ahead in the AI arms race.

On the other side, the European Union believes that AI without a leash is a monster waiting to devour democracy. Facial recognition, deepfakes, automated decision-making – without oversight, AI becomes the perfect tool for exploitation and surveillance. Better to strangle the industry a little than let it run amok. Regulation isn’t about slowing things down; it’s about ensuring that when AI inevitably takes over, it does so with a moral compass – one forged in the EU Parliament.

So, Who’s Really in Control?

The Matrix warned us of a future where humans create artificial intelligence only to become its slaves. But before we get there, we might first see AI become the latest tool in a geopolitical chess game, controlled by those with the most power.

The US wants to lead the industry. Europe wants to put AI in a straitjacket. China wants AI to support its system. None of these approaches are about AI itself spiraling out of control – they’re about different visions of who gets to control it.

So perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong question. Maybe it’s not about whether humans will lose control of AI. It’s about which humans are tightening their grip on it – and whether the rest of us are just along for the ride. Because in the end, The Matrix got one thing right: the most dangerous illusions are the ones we don’t even notice.

What do you think? How do you view the issue of control with regard to AI?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Note:

This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

Can machines really be creative? Or are they just exceptionally good at remixing human ingenuity? It’s a debate as old as, well, AI itself.

Let’s start with definitions. Creativity, the experts say, is the ability to generate something original and valuable. But that’s where the challenge lies: what counts as “original”? The human brain is hardly a blank slate – it absorbs influences, reconfigures them, and occasionally produces a stroke of genius. Machines, on the other hand, digest data, spot patterns, and churn out an output that is sometimes shockingly… inventive. The difference? Humans tell themselves compelling stories about where their ideas come from. Machines just execute.

Consider the AI-written novel, the algorithmic painting, or the deep-learning jazz improvisation. These works have fooled critics, won competitions, and even moved people emotionally. But are they true creativity, or are they just well-disguised mimicry? Both perspectives have strong arguments in their favor. 

For centuries, creativity has been compared to a flash of insight, a lightbulb moment. A sudden spark in the human mind, seemingly out of nowhere. But here’s where AI gets interesting. Modern language models such as GPT-4, Gemini or Claude, with their billions of parameters, also produce unexpected leaps – an uncanny, almost spooky ability to connect unrelated concepts in novel ways.

Is it intuition? Hardly. But is it different from how humans create? Not as much as we’d like to think. The human brain is just another pattern-recognition machine, only a messier, more emotional one.

A University of Milan study (in which I took part) once classified human creativity into three metaphorical categories:

1. The birth process. Some creative people experience their work as a long, painful gestation. (That’s a very human thing: good luck convincing a neural network to suffer for its art.)

2. Lego blocks. Others see creativity as assembling existing ideas in new ways. AI thrives here, recombining data tirelessly at inhuman speeds.

3. The lightbulb. And then there’s the lightning strike of inspiration, which, surprisingly, AI also exhibits in its own cold, calculated way.

Sure, machines are unlikely to compose Hamlet out of sheer existential impulse; but they can certainly spin an original sonnet from a brew of Shakespearean readings. Does it matter whether creativity comes with a tortured soul or a well-tuned algorithm? That depends on how romantic you are about the whole thing.

Perhaps the real question isn’t whether machines can be creative, but whether we’re willing to call what they do creativity. The knee-jerk reaction is to dismiss AI as an imitator, but human innovation has always built upon itself. No artist creates in a vacuum, no scientist formulates theories without predecessors, and no musician invents an entirely new melody out of thin air.

Maybe the ability to create truly original things (rather than copies) will always remain a unique prerogative of humankind. Or maybe creativity isn’t a divine gift exclusive to humans but just a process – one that machines, in their own misterious way, are increasingly learning to master. Time will tell.

Note:

This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

In just a few years, AI has become ubiquitous. Sure, it has its drawbacks, but it also unlocks incredible opportunities you don’t want to miss.

AI is here, and it’s not quietly sitting in the corner. It’s reshaping industries, careers, and – whether you like it or not – your daily to-do list. Gone are the days when only techies talked algorithms. Now, whether you’re crunching data or crafting Instagram captions, AI will probably be your new co-worker. So how do you survive and stay relevant in this challenging new world?

First, be brave. Yes, AI can seem intimidating – like an ambitious intern who actually does know it all. But fearing AI won’t save you. Curiosity will. Instead of panicking about how robots are out to steal your job, focus on what they can’t replace – your ability to think critically, adapt, and, well, be human. AI might churn out stats in milliseconds, but it still needs you to give them meaning.

Then, treat your brain like a computer: always look for the next update. AI evolves fast, so hit refresh on your skills as often as you can. Today’s “must-have” AI tool could be tomorrow’s obsolete gadget, so keep learning. Whether it’s an online course or just playing around with new tech, stay ahead by staying curious.

By the way, bear in mind that AI is rapidly learning to communicate with us in natural language – all languages of the world. Therefore, being unfamiliar with algorithms is no longer an excuse. Practice engaging with AI tools in any way you can, as they will soon be the go-to solution for countless tasks across all domains.

How? You don’t need to become a nerd, but you do need to get the basics. What is AI good at? Where does it fall flat on its circuits? The more you understand its quirks, the better you’ll work with it. Consider AI your overactive partner on a group project: brilliant, but sometimes clueless about real-world nuances.

Also, remember that AI doesn’t think – it calculates. That’s where you come in. Decisions about fairness, privacy, and accountability? Those are on you, not the machine. Make sure that your human judgment keeps AI in check, especially when the stakes are high.

Let’s be honest: adapting to AI isn’t going to be all smooth sailing. You might mess up. You might even get replaced (ouch). But resilience is your secret weapon. Fall, get up, repeat. After all, the future belongs to those who can handle a plot twist or two.

Finally, don’t isolate yourself. Join discussions, network with AI professionals, and absorb what the experts are saying. The more you engage, the more you’ll see that AI isn’t some shadowy overlord – it’s a tool. And like any tool, its value depends on how you use it.

The AI revolution isn’t waiting for anyone, and neither should you. With the right mindset, you won’t just survive – you’ll thrive. So roll up your sleeves, embrace the change, and remember: AI might be smart, but it’s your humanity that will always make you indispensable.

Note:

This newsletter is written in collaboration and constant dialogue with several AI tools, which I describe in my books as “today’s best storytelling assistants”. Nonetheless, all views expressed here are my own.

Big Tech is everywhere – innovating, entertaining, and, let’s face it, raking in the cash. But can it be trusted to ever balance power with responsibility?

Big Tech has never been so popular. People love it, loathe it, and can’t seem to live without it. From streamlining our lives to shaping our digital playgrounds, these tech titans have given us so much to celebrate. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility – or so the saying goes. Accountability, anyone?

Indeed, Big Tech is the epitome of cool. It’s the VIP of the digital age, its leaders being given front-row seats at presidential inaugurations like rock stars at a music award. Admired? Often. Respected? Occasionally. Criticized? Oh, endlessly. While their innovations dazzle, their bank accounts tend to provoke more eye-rolls than applause. To many, their wealth isn’t just excessive – it’s a slap in the face. In fact, Big Tech has an image problem bigger than its market cap. Trust, or the lack of it, might just be their Achilles’ heel.

Tech That Sparkles

First, let’s give credit where it’s due. Big Tech companies have revolutionized nearly every aspect of our lives. They’ve connected us across continents, brought education to our fingertips, and transformed mundane tasks like shopping into an oddly satisfying one-click experience. (Who knew buying paper clips at 3 a.m. could feel so empowering?)

Think of the social good, too: AI systems diagnosing diseases early, cloud computing empowering small businesses, and digital platforms giving a voice to the voiceless. Let’s not forget the sheer entertainment value. Streaming platforms, gaming networks, virtual realities… Big Tech knows how to keep us hooked – and happy.

The Gray Areas: No Free Lunch

But let’s not pretend all this brilliance is purely altruistic. Big Tech’s currency isn’t just innovation; it’s us. Every click, every like, every late-night search feeds the machine. And that’s fine – up to a point. The question is, who’s holding the reins?

Yes, these companies provide incredible services, often for free. But we’ve all learned by now that ‘free’ always comes with a catch: your data. And while targeted ads for cat sunglasses can be amusing, the deeper implications – privacy concerns, misinformation, and the occasional ethical hiccup – are definitely worth considering.

Accountability: The Next Big Thing

Big Tech knows it needs to step up. The buzzwords are all there: transparency, responsibility, ethical AI. They’ve even launched initiatives to improve digital literacy, combat cyberattacks, and protect our privacy (sort of). And let’s be fair, many of these efforts are making a real difference.

The challenge? Accountability isn’t as flashy as launching a new gadget or platform. Regulation debates are thorny, and while Big Tech says it’s open to change, you can’t blame us for being a little skeptical. After all, it’s hard to write your own rulebook without a little bias.

How to Get There

Big Tech isn’t the villain in this story, nor is it the hero. It’s a complicated character, just like the rest of us. The services they provide are transformative, but the risks of unchecked power are equally profound. So what’s the answer? Balance.

Imagine a world where innovation flourishes but doesn’t trample over ethics. Where data is used responsibly, and transparency isn’t just a PR buzzword. It’s not an impossible dream, but it does require effort – from governments, companies, and yes, us, the users. Let’s strive to build a digital future that benefits everyone, not just a select few.