Guest Blog: What Protections Generation Z Needs from Artificial Intelligence

By Logan Baker, Communications Summer Intern

Artificial intelligence is not on the way; it’s already here. It’s recommending your next playlist, filtering your job applications, deciding what shows up on your feed, and even answering your Google search. As AI gets smarter, faster, and more prominent in our lives, it raises the question: What is protecting my generation, Generation Z, from AI? 

Gen Z is the first to grow up with AI incorporated into our everyday lives. It is beginning to shape how we think, how we learn, and how we see the world. While AI has created exciting possibilities, it also brings serious risks we cannot afford to ignore. 

One of my biggest concerns is how AI affects our mental health. The algorithms behind our favorite apps are designed to maximize engagement, not our well-being. AI pushes content that keeps us scrolling, even if it feeds anxiety and depression. This generation needs protection from those systems and companies need limits on how they can target young users and how often. 

Privacy is another huge issue. Every time we interact with AI, we are asked to give up our personal data. That data is not forgotten; it is stored, analyzed, and used to train more algorithms. We are all guilty of opting into data collection without truly understanding what we’re agreeing to. Gen Z, like all consumers, needs clearer privacy policies as well as the ability to opt out of privacy agreements without losing complete access. Additionally, stronger laws are needed to protect sensitive information like location and facial recognition data. 

Although misinformation has been a growing threat, AI makes it easier than ever to generate fake news and content that looks real but isn’t. This is especially dangerous in a world where 54% of U.S. adults get their news from social media. Platforms (especially social media) should be required to label AI-generated content clearly so that Gen Z has the tools to spot AI-generated content. Such protections would help people feel more comfortable navigating social media and would reduce the fear of falling for harmful AI-generated content. 

It is no secret that AI has the power to do incredible good, but with great power comes great responsibility. Me and my fellow members of Gen Z should not have to sacrifice our mental health or privacy for to power the AI revolution. To continue thriving in this brave new world, protections need to be put in place to help us co-exist with AI without companies using it to take advantage of us.