The future of AI: Generational tendencies related to decision processing

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have resulted in the automation of human-based decision processing and have become entwined with almost every aspect of our lives. While advantageous in many respects, when conditions permit a decision to take place related to the acceptance, adoption or rejection of embracing AI into one’s everyday life, many elect not to do so. Such decisions can be based on a lack of knowledge of how to determine the benefits of such modernisation of thought but can also be the result of specific tendencies associated with different generations. This paper examines three generations — Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials (born 1946 to 1994; reaching adulthood 1967 to 2015) — who collectively participated in nearly a half-century of some of the most significant technological advances in history. These changes contributed to each of these generations’ understanding of, comfort with, and decision making that ultimately determines their attitude toward and rate of adoption of AI. In light of Bourdieu’s theory of practice, we examine social models and theories of innovation to better understand decisions associated with each generation regarding their attitudes related to AI — primarily based on their interpretation of perceived benefits offered by such advancements in technology.