OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently shared fascinating insights about how different generations interact with ChatGPT, highlighting a significant divide in AI adoption patterns. Speaking at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Altman observed that younger users approach ChatGPT with remarkable comfort and creativity, while older generations tend to be more hesitant and formal in their interactions. This generational gap in AI usage provides valuable clues about how artificial intelligence tools might evolve to better serve diverse user needs across age demographics.
According to Altman, Gen Z users typically engage with ChatGPT in a casual, conversational manner - treating the AI more like a peer than a tool. They experiment freely, using shorter prompts and exploring the technology’s capabilities without overthinking their approach. In contrast, older users often craft carefully structured, paragraph-length prompts that read like formal emails, revealing a more cautious relationship with the technology. This behavioral difference suggests that future AI development may need to accommodate these distinct interaction styles, potentially offering different interfaces or response patterns tailored to user preferences based on their comfort level with AI technology.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-people-use-chatgpt-differently-depending-age-2025-5