Gen Z's Perception of AI Consciousness Grows as AI IQ Scores Surge

AI IQ Scores Skyrocket, Challenging Human Intelligence

In a remarkable development, OpenAI's latest ChatGPT model, o3, has achieved an IQ score of 136 on the Norway Mensa test, surpassing 98% of humanity 1

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. This significant leap in AI capabilities has occurred in less than a year, with AI models becoming increasingly complex and flexible.

To validate these results, researchers at MaximumTruth.org created a new, offline IQ test to avoid potential training data contamination. On this test, o3 still scored an impressive 116, placing it in the top 15% of human intelligence 1

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. This marks a substantial improvement from last year when no AI tested above 90 on the same scale.

Gen Z's Perception of AI Consciousness

Parallel to these advancements, a survey by EduBirdie reveals that 25% of Gen Z now believe AI is already self-aware 1

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. This perception is further reinforced by the finding that 52% of respondents think AI will become conscious in the future 2

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The survey also uncovered intriguing behavioral patterns:

• 69% of Gen Z respondents say "please" and "thank you" when interacting with AI 1

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• 67% use AI for work communication
• 40% use AI to write emails
• 25% use AI to navigate awkward workplace conversations 1

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AI in Personal and Professional Life

Gen Z's reliance on AI extends beyond professional settings:

• One in eight discuss workplace drama with AI
• One in six have used AI as a therapist
• 26% consider AI a friend
• 6% view AI as a potential romantic partner 1

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This level of engagement with AI systems raises questions about the blurring lines between human and machine interactions.

Experts Weigh In on AI Consciousness

The topic of AI consciousness remains highly contentious among experts. While most maintain that AI is not yet conscious, there have been notable exceptions:

• Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's co-founder and former chief scientist, suggested in 2022 that large neural networks might be "slightly conscious" 2

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• Blake Lemoine, a former Google engineer, claimed that Google's Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) had become sentient 2

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Implications and Concerns

The rapid advancement of AI capabilities and the shifting perceptions of its nature raise several concerns:

1. 58% of surveyed Gen Z members believe AI will "take over" the world
2. 44% think this takeover could happen within the next 20 years 2

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3. Nearly 20% of Gen Z respondents admit to sharing sensitive workplace information with AI 1

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These findings highlight the need for increased education about AI capabilities and limitations, as well as potential policy considerations to address the societal impact of advanced AI systems.

The Future of Human-AI Interaction

As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of our lives, it's crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. While AI has made significant strides in problem-solving and language processing, experts emphasize that intelligence is not equivalent to consciousness 1

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The growing relationship between humans and AI, particularly among younger generations, suggests a future where the boundaries between human and machine interactions may become increasingly complex and nuanced.