July 30, 2025 • 6 mins
THE 'AI' DIVIDE 📱 Futurist Michael McQueen explains how Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and Boomers are using artificial intelligence.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, from a search tool for boomers to a digital
therapist for gen Z in a world of emerging AI,
how does each generation use it? Well, your age might
shape your perspective more than you think. Millennials are the
biggest users, building businesses, crafting, parenting guides, and helping organize
their personal life.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Gen Z treats AI as a bit of a co
pilot tool, using it to write essays, designing new side
hustle idea or go viral on TikTok. And meanwhile, baby
boomers and gen X have a healthy skepticism with new
technological innovations and constantly ask their children and grandchildren, well,
all about it?
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So you don't have to do that. We've invited on
futurists and author Michael McQueen to answer all your questions,
so you haven't got to ask your kids about it.
So what are different generations actively using AI for generative AIS?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
So if you look at sort of millennials and gen Z,
the main thing is using force the content generation, especially
if they're studying, they're helping the right assignments and essays.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Also as a coaching tool.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
In fact, one of the best ways I've seen this
years when I'm working with young leaders is put a
prompt into chat GPT and say, from what you know
of me, what are my top three professional blind spots.
And it's amazing how that just gives you a reflection
on maybe things that you need to be working on
as a young leader as you're going through the rank.
So really effective just the amount they're using it. It
(01:20):
knows you incredibly well.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Just from what you've been using. Correct if you knew
when people knew about you that you.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Don't know that.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
The other one's interesting to his technical support. So part
of it is technical things like anyone over the edge
of forty generationally just knows how to fix stuff. You
know that generation anyone under forty is like, like they'll
take a photo, put it on chat rept, what is this?
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Why doesn't it work? How do I fixiate it?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
But also even like for coding is interesting, so the
term you hear a bit more about his vibe coding,
where you just literally conversationally say what you want the
tech to do, and the AO write the code that
allows that tech to do what it needs to.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
We're with the kids last night, twenty six years old
and thirty one years old, trying to explain how they
use chat, gptop and I'm still sitting there.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I'm trying to engage. I'm trying to understand it.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
But is it okay that my generation, the boomers, kind
of still don't really get it.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, there is a sense in which boomers do use
it differently. There is a hesitation, hesitation, nervousness about it,
partly because it's so new. Boomers are using AI and
even gen X's use it too. Smart homes is a
big thing that gen X's use AI for. Boomers are
using it for fitness and wellness, fitness tracking, so fitchat
is one that they're using a lot for. But for
older generations it's even being used for things like analyzing
(02:32):
contracts and legal documents, the stuff that proper grownups have
to do. AI can be a real gift in that
regard to.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So which hold gens that are also increasingly using AI
to address loneliness? So what risks are involved with that?
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Say?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Apps like Replica, Yes, Replica is huge, so thirty million users,
and this is an app that essentially allows you to
build a friend or a companion. Your face says it all.
I'm with you though, Like Range, sort of trend for
most of us to get a head around, like why
would you do that? But also the impacts of that,
(03:05):
because the thing is it might feel like it plugs
that gap of loneliness, but the reality is having an
AI companion isn't the same because a real relationship requires
things like selflessness and sacrifice and compromising, sharing, learning from
each other. AI is just there to serve your needs,
so it's not a real relationship or companion sounds like the.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
Perfect we need to do.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
What are the biggest mistakes the different generations are making
with AI?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
The first one is for older generations not using it
for what it can actually do, you know, using only
small amounts of it. So it's not about prompt generation
with many of these tools. So when it comes to prompts,
knowing what to put in best thing to do a bit.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Of a life hack.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Ask the AI what the prompt should be and it'll
tell you put in this. It'll give you like four
or five paragraphs to give you the exact response you need.
So older generations that's often the thing. With younger generations
it's becoming overdependent. There's a study with MIT recent looking
at this in students. So a whole bunch of students
who used AI to write essays. Their active brain engagement
dropped forty seven year round when they were using that
(04:07):
at the AI. And also they couldn't remember afterwards what
they had just submitted as their work because they didn't
actually write it.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
So the thing is like everyone's using this to get smarter,
and what you're not actually getting ahead of the pack.
You're having to use chat GPT just to stay with
the It is a bit of that, kind of a
bit of a level. So that's what people use it
for business and for getting ahead. There's also fun signs
to it as well as this family photo trend at
the moment chat GPTs where you can create what your
family would look like. Right, Yeah, that's a bit of
(04:34):
a trend. So how does that work?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
So that actually uses large language models to essentially do
predictive analytics. Take a couple of photos and say, from
key things like I shape or nose shape or complexion,
what would it look like if these two people had
a child. So it's just a predictive model and it's
often very accurate.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So las here's the thing. We joke all the time
that perhaps we should have a baby for Instagram purposes, right.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yes, you do need to chuck in IVF in there. Absolutely, Yeah,
like we got that's what we're that. We're not really committed.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
But what I did as I took it upon myself
to ask chat gpt to create a family photo of
us if you and I did were to have children, and.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
This is what.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
First firstly, why is Michael McQueen.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Do you look like that?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Well?
Speaker 4 (05:27):
I think I think you've got just as many problems.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
But okay, I resigned from chat GPT.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I've seen other ones do it, and the real.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
People look still, Yeah, we don't look like.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
I picture our kids would look like.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
You know what I feel like. I feel like you've
just got the trial version of chat gpt. You didn't
actually subscribe. We might need to go next level with
my teeth.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
I look like I'm about to eat that child anyway.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Hang on, chat gpt, is Karli about to eat that child? Anyway?
Speaker 1 (05:59):
I did not see that going like that anyway, chat
cheopet says, if you and I had children, that's what they.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Would look like.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Can I just say one thing?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Firstly, I don't want those children, but mainly I don't
want to be married to that woman.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Mate. It is fascinating stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
It is so wrong. I've seen other ones where the
people look really good.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Yeah, there's all sorts of reasons, but probably about It's
about the prompt.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
It's all about the problem. Carli got a GPT subscription
of tea.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Why?
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Because that's not good. Our future is not looking as
good as you thoughts. Thank you, mate,
Well, from a search tool for boomers to a digital
therapist for gen Z in a world of emerging AI,
how does each generation use it? Well, your age might
shape your perspective more than you think. Millennials are the
biggest users, building businesses, crafting, parenting guides, and helping organize
their personal life.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Gen Z treats AI as a bit of a co
pilot tool, using it to write essays, designing new side
hustle idea or go viral on TikTok. And meanwhile, baby
boomers and gen X have a healthy skepticism with new
technological innovations and constantly ask their children and grandchildren, well,
all about it?
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So you don't have to do that. We've invited on
futurists and author Michael McQueen to answer all your questions,
so you haven't got to ask your kids about it.
So what are different generations actively using AI for generative AIS?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
So if you look at sort of millennials and gen Z,
the main thing is using force the content generation, especially
if they're studying, they're helping the right assignments and essays.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Also as a coaching tool.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
In fact, one of the best ways I've seen this
years when I'm working with young leaders is put a
prompt into chat GPT and say, from what you know
of me, what are my top three professional blind spots.
And it's amazing how that just gives you a reflection
on maybe things that you need to be working on
as a young leader as you're going through the rank.
So really effective just the amount they're using it. It
(01:20):
knows you incredibly well.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Just from what you've been using. Correct if you knew
when people knew about you that you.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Don't know that.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
The other one's interesting to his technical support. So part
of it is technical things like anyone over the edge
of forty generationally just knows how to fix stuff. You
know that generation anyone under forty is like, like they'll
take a photo, put it on chat rept, what is this?
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Why doesn't it work? How do I fixiate it?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
But also even like for coding is interesting, so the
term you hear a bit more about his vibe coding,
where you just literally conversationally say what you want the
tech to do, and the AO write the code that
allows that tech to do what it needs to.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
We're with the kids last night, twenty six years old
and thirty one years old, trying to explain how they
use chat, gptop and I'm still sitting there.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
I'm trying to engage. I'm trying to understand it.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
But is it okay that my generation, the boomers, kind
of still don't really get it.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, there is a sense in which boomers do use
it differently. There is a hesitation, hesitation, nervousness about it,
partly because it's so new. Boomers are using AI and
even gen X's use it too. Smart homes is a
big thing that gen X's use AI for. Boomers are
using it for fitness and wellness, fitness tracking, so fitchat
is one that they're using a lot for. But for
older generations it's even being used for things like analyzing
(02:32):
contracts and legal documents, the stuff that proper grownups have
to do. AI can be a real gift in that
regard to.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So which hold gens that are also increasingly using AI
to address loneliness? So what risks are involved with that?
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Say?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Apps like Replica, Yes, Replica is huge, so thirty million users,
and this is an app that essentially allows you to
build a friend or a companion. Your face says it all.
I'm with you though, Like Range, sort of trend for
most of us to get a head around, like why
would you do that? But also the impacts of that,
(03:05):
because the thing is it might feel like it plugs
that gap of loneliness, but the reality is having an
AI companion isn't the same because a real relationship requires
things like selflessness and sacrifice and compromising, sharing, learning from
each other. AI is just there to serve your needs,
so it's not a real relationship or companion sounds like the.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
Perfect we need to do.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
What are the biggest mistakes the different generations are making
with AI?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
The first one is for older generations not using it
for what it can actually do, you know, using only
small amounts of it. So it's not about prompt generation
with many of these tools. So when it comes to prompts,
knowing what to put in best thing to do a bit.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Of a life hack.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Ask the AI what the prompt should be and it'll
tell you put in this. It'll give you like four
or five paragraphs to give you the exact response you need.
So older generations that's often the thing. With younger generations
it's becoming overdependent. There's a study with MIT recent looking
at this in students. So a whole bunch of students
who used AI to write essays. Their active brain engagement
dropped forty seven year round when they were using that
(04:07):
at the AI. And also they couldn't remember afterwards what
they had just submitted as their work because they didn't
actually write it.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
So the thing is like everyone's using this to get smarter,
and what you're not actually getting ahead of the pack.
You're having to use chat GPT just to stay with
the It is a bit of that, kind of a
bit of a level. So that's what people use it
for business and for getting ahead. There's also fun signs
to it as well as this family photo trend at
the moment chat GPTs where you can create what your
family would look like. Right, Yeah, that's a bit of
(04:34):
a trend. So how does that work?
Speaker 3 (04:36):
So that actually uses large language models to essentially do
predictive analytics. Take a couple of photos and say, from
key things like I shape or nose shape or complexion,
what would it look like if these two people had
a child. So it's just a predictive model and it's
often very accurate.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So las here's the thing. We joke all the time
that perhaps we should have a baby for Instagram purposes, right.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yes, you do need to chuck in IVF in there. Absolutely, Yeah,
like we got that's what we're that. We're not really committed.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
But what I did as I took it upon myself
to ask chat gpt to create a family photo of
us if you and I did were to have children, and.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
This is what.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
First firstly, why is Michael McQueen.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Do you look like that?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Well?
Speaker 4 (05:27):
I think I think you've got just as many problems.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
But okay, I resigned from chat GPT.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I've seen other ones do it, and the real.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
People look still, Yeah, we don't look like.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
I picture our kids would look like.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
You know what I feel like. I feel like you've
just got the trial version of chat gpt. You didn't
actually subscribe. We might need to go next level with
my teeth.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
I look like I'm about to eat that child anyway.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Hang on, chat gpt, is Karli about to eat that child? Anyway?
Speaker 1 (05:59):
I did not see that going like that anyway, chat
cheopet says, if you and I had children, that's what they.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Would look like.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Can I just say one thing?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Firstly, I don't want those children, but mainly I don't
want to be married to that woman.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Mate. It is fascinating stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
It is so wrong. I've seen other ones where the
people look really good.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Yeah, there's all sorts of reasons, but probably about It's
about the prompt.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
It's all about the problem. Carli got a GPT subscription
of tea.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Why?
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Because that's not good. Our future is not looking as
good as you thoughts. Thank you, mate,
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