Artificial intelligence is becoming embedded in the everyday lives of younger users, but for Generation Z, its role is moving beyond search, study and work. Increasingly, AI is also being treated as something closer to a conversational companion.New research by Kaspersky’s internal market research centre, based on responses from 7,200 people globally, suggests that Gen Z is using AI more frequently than other generations and is also developing a more personal relationship with the technology.Almost half of Gen Z respondents, 47%, said they use AI every day or almost every day, the highest proportion among the demographic groups surveyed. Their most common uses include searching for information, reported by 56% of respondents, followed by studying at 49%, generating ideas at 47% and work at 39%.The findings point to a generation that is becoming increasingly comfortable incorporating AI into activities that once relied almost entirely on traditional search engines, teachers, colleagues or other people.But the more notable shift may be happening outside these practical applications.According to the survey, 27% of Gen Z respondents said they use AI as a friend. That is higher than the proportion reported among other generations and suggests that conversational AI is beginning to occupy a different space in people’s digital lives.For some young users, the appeal appears to be the ease with which they can initiate a conversation. AI systems are available on demand, can respond conversationally and do not carry the same social dynamics as speaking to another person. This has also made them a place where some users are willing to discuss issues they might otherwise keep to themselves.The survey found that 28% of Gen Z respondents use AI to discuss personal issues they would rather not share with other people.That growing familiarity, however, introduces questions about how users understand the boundaries between an AI system and a human relationship.An AI chatbot may respond in a conversational and reassuring way, but it does not have the judgement, accountability or understanding of a human friend. Its responses can also be inaccurate or inappropriate. At the same time, the sense of privacy created by a one-to-one conversation may encourage users to disclose information they would normally keep confidential.This creates a challenge for a generation that is otherwise among the most comfortable with emerging digital technologies: familiarity with AI does not necessarily translate into safer use of it.Kaspersky’s research found that only 42% of Gen Z respondents consistently take protective measures when using AI services.Such measures include checking information generated by AI against reliable sources and avoiding the disclosure of confidential or sensitive information.A further 52% said they take such precautions only occasionally, while 6% do not take them at all.The figures highlight a potential gap between AI adoption and AI literacy. Young people may be quick to experiment with new AI tools and understand their capabilities, but that familiarity can also make it easier to overlook the risks associated with using them.The issue becomes more significant as AI moves into areas such as education, work, communication and personal decision-making.An inaccurate AI-generated response could affect a student’s academic work or influence an everyday decision. More concerning is the information that users may voluntarily enter into these systems. A conversation with an AI service could contain personal documents, financial information, private correspondence, passwords or other sensitive details.The principle is relatively straightforward: information entered into an AI service should not automatically be assumed to be confidential simply because the interaction feels private.This is particularly relevant as conversational AI becomes more sophisticated. The more natural the interaction becomes, the easier it can be for users to forget that they are communicating with a technology platform rather than a person.The growing use of AI does not necessarily mean that young users should avoid the technology. Instead, it points to the need for responsible AI habits to develop alongside technical familiarity.One of the most important habits is verification. AI-generated information can be useful, but important claims should be checked against reliable sources, particularly when the subject involves education, finance, legal matters, healthcare or other areas where inaccurate information can have significant consequences.Users should think carefully before entering passwords, payment information, identity documents, private correspondence or other confidential material into AI platforms. Understanding how an AI service collects, processes and stores information can also help users make more informed decisions about what they share.Cybersecurity risks also extend beyond the AI systems themselves. As AI becomes more popular, criminals can exploit that interest through phishing campaigns, fraudulent websites and fake AI applications designed to trick users into handing over information or downloading malicious software.
This page contains an attributed headline and the preview text supplied through the publisher’s RSS feed. Copyright in the original reporting belongs to CIO Africa.
