Gen Z and Technology: An Improvement or a Failure?

Editor’s Note… As a community of artists from different disciplines and backgrounds, we have touched on topics ranging from cultural observations and historical references to social changes that impact all of us. One of the recurring discussions that touch our day-to-day interactions refers to the speed at which technology is changing and the resulting gap it leaves between generations. Interactions are impacted, and consequently, what used to be mutual understanding is often missed. It is important to share dynamic views. Hannah Brigitta, as a young artist and writer, gives us a direct voice with first-hand relevance and insights from her generation. The emerging voices today play a big role in shaping the future. If we are distant from the voice of today, how can we be understanding of tomorrow?

Gen Z and technology have become life partners, bonded from birth to death and simply inseparable. For instance, vast technology, like social media, has created a new approach to “self-discovery” within the virtual space. Technology helps us solve many problems and provides instant, quick solutions. Its remarkable convenience creates a new dynamic in our society, making it possible to do anything.

The Era where Everything is Online

Humans are social-based organisms, and engaging with one another is essential in everyday life. As individuals, Gen Z uses smartphones as a medium to communicate, offering an all-in-one solution in just one device and serving as the gateway to the digital world.

The digitalisation of everything improves our society through instant messaging, finding knowledge resources, and more. Just type what you want to look for and “click” It’s all there.

Gen Z lives in an era where everything is online. It’s easy, quick and almost costs them zero effort to find/do anything, not to mention the existence of social media, digital libraries and the infamous AI. The convenience technology offers to Gen Z elevates their resources, resulting in a generation expected to be well-educated and more conscious of their surroundings.

Virtual World: Our Life Today

Have you heard of Metaverse before? Metaverse is a fictional virtual space that simulates our real world, allowing us to engage in activities similar to reality and beyond. This technology experience is very popular among Gen Z, creating a generation of gadget addiction. Aside from Metaverse, Gen Z’s reliance on gadgets is significantly influenced by social media. How so?

Gadgets are the gateway to the internet, the tool Gen Z relies on the most. This generation values the internet and its supporting services, especially social media, simply because they grew up with it. Social media replaced the traditional communication system with new modern virtual-based communication tools. Through social media, Gen Z can connect and interact with people worldwide. It’s an alternative to our daily social life, offering a one-stop solution to interact with other people online.

Besides being an effective communication tool, social media offers an open platform for new creativity and innovation. It’s a medium for self-branding through lifestyles and talents. It’s the digital portfolio. It’s the identity. Engagement is important, and social media makes it easy to gain popularity. Everything is instant. Everything is online.

The Future of Writing. A Rare Skill for the Privilege

The infamous AI, ChatGPT, has been a trend among Gen Z for its remarkable services. One of its famous services is to assist us in writing, creating a writing reliance on AI instead of our legitimate human skills to write.

Then, why does ChatGPT exist if we don’t just use it to write for us? It’s fast anyway and I don’t have to think and spend time writing.

Everything is instant. Everything is online. It’s a fact that AI offers convenience, but I don’t think plagiarising the entire writing made by AI is wise. AI is our assistant to help us, not taking over the essence of the writing process.

Writing is a medium to express our thoughts and feelings through words. It’s personal. It’s a process, an art made by humans. Writing is our language. Later, if we stop or never train ourselves in writing, I’m concerned that humans can no longer channel their thoughts and ideas through words.

Writing does take time. It’s not instant like what technology has been feeding us. It takes experience, and we must practise the skill to create what we think is good writing. 

We have to observe and research the topic we want to write about. If we let AI write something for us, then how can we learn? Again, it’s not our voice anymore. It’s the system compiling “somebody else’s work” that is not even ours. It’s not our effort, but it’s that “somebody”.

On a Final Note

Technology continues to evolve, enhancing our lives. We can embrace its advancements and establish healthy boundaries with it. As Gen Z is the future, it’s crucial to recognise how rapidly technology has transformed our surroundings. While relying on technology is not inherently wrong, it’s also important to acknowledge our natural skills and abilities. Emphasising the importance of balance, Gen Z and technology can work together to create innovations for a brighter future.