tech
Gen Z is using AI to navigate social situations
Around 2 a.m. on a Monday, Emily received a text from a fellow student, Patrick, whom she had gone on a blind date with two days earlier. The pair are juniors at Yale University who were set up by mutual friends. They requested anonymity so CNN agreed to change their names to protect their privacy.
TL;DR
- A growing number of young people are using AI to draft social messages, decode mixed signals, and script difficult conversations.
- Experts warn this 'social offloading' can stunt emotional growth and hinder the development of essential social skills like reading social intent and tolerating ambiguity.
- The pandemic's isolation and the prevalence of digital culture are seen as factors contributing to Gen Z's increased reliance on AI for social interaction.
- Using AI for social interactions can create an 'expectation mismatch' for recipients and erode users' confidence in their own communication abilities.
- While AI can offer a semblance of connection, it may ultimately deepen feelings of loneliness and isolation.