Generation Beta: Growing Up in an AI-Dominated World - Opportunities and Challenges

AI's risks for 'Generation Beta'

KATHMANDU (ANN/KATHMANDU POST) - Picture a world where seven-year-olds use generative AI to solve math problems, create digital art, and even recommend video games. This is the reality awaiting Generation Beta -- children born from 2025 to 2039 -- who will grow up entirely in a world dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR). Unlike Millennials and Gen Z, who adapted to emerging technologies, Generation Beta will never know a world without AI. "While Generation Alpha experienced the rise of smart technology, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are seamlessly integrated into daily life -- from education to healthcare and entertainment," said researcher Mark McCrindle. He estimates this generation will include 2.1 billion people by 2035. Opportunities and risks The integration of AI into everyday life presents unprecedented opportunities but also challenges, particularly in digital safety and cybersecurity. For instance, in Nepal, a ChildSafeNet-UNICEF study in 2024 revealed that 46 percent of respondents actively used generative AI, with children leveraging platforms like ChatGPT for education and entertainment. Yet, this rapid adoption comes with risks. "AI use among children can hinder creativity and critical thinking if over-relied upon," said Anil Raghubansi, founder of ChildSafeNet. He cited exposure to inappropriate content, privacy violations, and cyberbullying as significant concerns. A 2023 report by the Internet Watch Foundation found over 20,000 instances of AI-generated child sexual abuse material on a single dark web forum in just one month, underscoring the urgent need for regulation and enforcement. Preparing for the future The challenges are not confined to Nepal. Globally, governments are grappling with how to regulate AI while maximising its benefits. The UAE, for example, has established a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence to address these challenges proactively. However, Nepal's policies lag behind. Existing laws such as the 'Electronic Transactions Act of 2008' and the 'Digital Nepal Framework of 2019' lack specific provisions to address AI. According to Dr. Lina Gurung from Kathmandu University, "Nepal's education system is unprepared for the digital age. Teachers need training, and policies must consider AI's implications for children." Cybercrime is another growing concern. Nepal's Cyber Bureau reported a 260.8 percent increase in cyber violence cases in 2023-2024 compared to the previous year. Superintendent of Police Deepak Raj Awasthi highlighted a lack of skilled personnel and advanced investigative tools to combat AI misuse, cryptocurrency fraud, and deepfake technology. Balancing innovation and safety As Generation Beta matures, AI will reshape creativity, knowledge, and interpersonal relationships. But the risks -- such as cybercrime and misuse -- demand immediate attention. "We must act now to prepare for both the advantages and dangers of AI," said Raghubansi, emphasising the need for digital safety education and robust AI regulation. Dr. Gurung also stressed that practical, real-world training should accompany internet safety lessons in schools. As countries around the world revise their policies, it is critical for nations like Nepal to accelerate their efforts. Only by balancing innovation with safety can Generation Beta truly thrive in the AI era.

The Next Generation Will Never Know a World Without AI - Decrypt

When Generation Beta asks their first questions, AI will likely answer before their parents do. Thanks to a proliferation of AI tools since the launch of ChatGPT, children born in 2025 and thereafter will live in a world where artificial intelligence shapes their knowledge, decisions, and relationships. Coined by Australian futurist Mark McCrindle, Generation Beta refers to children born between 2025 and 2039. In a recent report, McCrindle said that the digital and physical worlds will be seamless for Generation Beta. "While Generation Alpha has experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life -- from education and workplaces to healthcare and entertainment," he said. Unlike previous generations, who once did not have access to generative AI, Gen Beta enters a world where AI is not only everywhere but may soon approach the singularity. Technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible at this hypothetical future point, leading to drastic, unforeseeable changes in human civilization. Some AI industry leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Dr. Ben Geortzel, speculate that this event is near and may occur within the next ten years. "Generation Beta represents the dawn of a new era. They will grow up in a world shaped by breakthroughs in technology, evolving social norms, and an increasing focus on sustainability and global citizenship," McCrindle said. "Understanding their needs, values, and preferences will be critical as we anticipate how they will shape the future of society." McCrindle did not immediately respond to a request for comments by Decrypt. Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, educators and psychologists have debated how AI affects children. On Sunday, a Redditor highlighted the growing dependence on artificial intelligence by lamenting their 11-year-old sister, who would be considered a member of Gen Alpha, had turned to ChatGPT to answer basic math questions that someone their age should have been able to answer independently. Educators are already observing a shift as students increasingly depend on AI for learning and problem-solving. "As an educator, I see students regularly turning to ChatGPT for advice and answers, and I've noticed friends and family doing the same," USC Associate Professor of Psychology Jonas Kaplan told Decrypt. "The challenge is that technology evolves faster than our educational institutions, which are designed to teach skills from the world we grew up in -- not the one today's kids will inherit." The co-director of the Dornsife Neuroimaging Center at the Brain & Creativity Institute and the Department of Psychology at USC, Kaplan, said that an essential skill Gen Beta must develop is critical thinking. "In past generations, we had to learn how to find information because it was scarce and difficult to source," he said. "Now, current generations face a different challenge. They're inundated with information and must decide what's good and what isn't. So there are different skills that are required that people need to learn as technology changes." Experts also warn that as AI becomes more ubiquitous, parents may delegate the responsibility of educating their children to artificial intelligence. "I think the trend will lean toward AI teaching children, and we need to prevent that," Dr. Emily Levy told Decrypt. "While AI can teach hard skills like reading and math, we risk losing essential soft skills -- interacting with others, creative problem-solving, and socializing. Over-reliance on AI could diminish these critical skills, which are key to relationships, career success, and personal growth. This trend may be inevitable, but it's important to recognize and address it." Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a New York-based educational center that offers academic support for students from preschool through adulthood, focusing on those with learning disabilities, ADHD, and dyslexia. While AI will be commonplace for children born in Gen Beta, Levy cautions that differences in the quality of AI tools available to them could create educational disparities. Kids with access to more advanced or accurate AI models may get better support, while those using less reliable systems could fall behind. "There can definitely be disparities, as AI still makes errors and isn't always accurate. It often depends on the data it pulls from," Levy said. "Some systems are more advanced, so disparities will likely continue, and I believe they will always exist."