Gen Z and Generative AI: Shaping the Future of Learning and Creativity

Abstract

Thus, the appearance of the Generative Artificial Intelligence opened up a great turn in many areas, including education and creative industries. This paper seeks to understand the deep impact that Generative AI is going to have on learning and creating processes for the social context of Generation Z (Gen Z) students – born in digital culture. The work looks into the possibilities and challenges that Gen Z in collaboration with Generative AI leads to the future of learning and creativity. This paper is relevant as it offers some understanding of the ongoing changes in the education and creativity together with the escalating growth in technology. The nature of the association between the members of Generation Z and the Generative AI needs to be known by the educational stakeholders, policymakers, and business executives to leverage value from the existing and upcoming technologies together with dealing with possible negative impacts. The purpose of this study was to explore the nature and uses of Generative AI, and its effects on the learning and creativity of Gen Z, in addition to identifying the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and risks/partities’ concerns that are commensurate with the integration of this technology in teaching/learning and creative processes. To achieve the objectives of the study the following research methodology was used: The research used both a literature review and documentary research. The materials used included academic publications, Industry reports, books and other credible internet sources on Generative AI and its impact on the education and creativity of the Gen Z. The document analysis included policy papers, educational technology reports, case studies and white papers from academic and professional bodies as well as other industries that involve Generative AI. Several insights show that using Generative AI can positively impact learners’ experiences, engagement, and creativity. However, there was some controversy about the excessive usage of AI and claimed that because of it people may get worse at critical thinking. The following were noted to be major concerns; Ethical Issues: they included issues to do with bias in the algorithms as well as the right to privacy of data. Thus, the findings of this research point to a three-way settlement with respect to the use of Generative AI in education and creative industries. It underlines the guideline of how human creativity and critical thinking ought to be sustained, while using AI tools. Proposals include, the need to teach critical thinking alongside AI use, fostering ethical AI consciousness, surged AI education, appropriate non-ethnical AI data set, strong AI policies and pro positive AI inspires and creative constructive use. The research implications for future studies include studying the changes in the achievement of learning outcomes over a period of time, wherein Generative AI has been incorporated and understanding how this technology influences different learning styles and needs, the issues of ethical and privacy concern, the requirement of professional development to educators in relation to Generative AI and finally, the comparison information and communication technology for learning between different cultures. Related to that, further studies on the effectiveness of AI in approaches like collaborative learning, its potential on preparing learners for employment, and on the psychology of students would be helpful in informing the future advancement of Generative AI in school and particular creative areas.