The younger generation in the age of AI: Master the technology or depend on it?

The most important thing is a sense of ethics and social responsibility. AI has no morality, but humans do. Knowing how to use technology responsibly, aiming for the long-term benefit of the community will help you not only succeed but also create sustainable value. 

AI is not an enemy, but a tool for you to develop yourself and your career. Focus on practicing skills that technology cannot replace, thereby turning it into an effective assistant to help you conquer all challenges. The age of AI isn't as scary as you think – if you know how to master it! 

3. "Grasp" AI, use it effectively 

AI is "running shows" everywhere and makes many young people startled and afraid: "Will I be replaced?" But calm down, because the truth is that AI can be smart, but not perfect. To get the most out of the power of AI without falling victim to it, you need to know how to take advantage of them: 

3.1. Know how to ask questions 

AI can give thousands of answers, but if you don't know how to ask questions, it's like talking to a wall. The quality of the answers depends entirely on how you ask the question. If you only ask general questions, the AI will come up with general theories, sometimes not related to a specific situation. 

For example, if you're doing marketing and want AI to generate content for an ad, you need to understand your product, your target audience, and the message you want to convey first. AI will help you write a keyword-based ad, but only if you know your customers' insights, what they're interested in, their benefits, and what kind of wording fits your brand's tone, you can edit it to make it really effective. 

For example, instead of asking, "How can I improve my marketing campaign?", ask more specifically: "How can I increase the conversion rate from Facebook ads with a budget of $10?". By digging deep into the ideas that AI gives, it will give you more detailed, realistic suggestions. This applies to all industries. 

Know how to ask questions 

3.2. Take full advantage of AI 

One of the greatest strengths of AI is its ability to process large amounts of data in a matter of seconds. This not only saves time but also minimizes errors compared to manual work. 

For example, you have a large and complex list of customer names, phone numbers, and email addresses, all of which are cluttered and irregular in the same column. Instead of sifting through each piece of information, you can simply copy the entire list and ask the AI to separate it into columns: the name column, the phone number column, and the email column. In just a few seconds, the AI will return accurate results, saving hours of work and manual testing effort.  

A clearer example: If you need to calculate monthly sales from a cluttered data table, AI can instantly analyze and provide detailed reports, rather than having to fiddle with formulas in Excel. Jobs that used to take hours can now be completed in minutes with high accuracy. 

4. The younger generation needs to cultivate in the AI era 

In the future, AI-related skills will become a "golden ticket" in careers. Take the initiative to learn from the latest courses and materials on AI and technology. To truly stand out, you need to have a deep understanding of how AI works, its real-world applications in your industry, and how to leverage it. 

The ability to calculate machines is extremely fast, but creative thinking and emotions can only be done by humans. This is precisely why humans need to focus on what AI can't do. Instead of relying solely on AI, leverage it as an enablement tool, freeing up time and energy to invest in aspects that require creativity and emotions. For example, you can ask AI to suggest an idea, then you are the one to select, transform and develop that idea into a truly unique product that is suitable for customers. 

5. AI Cons: Smart but lacking in sophistication 

AI can amaze you with its ability to process data quickly and generate content in a matter of seconds. However, the truth is that no matter how smart AI is, there are still many limitations that humans are not easy to replace. 

Typically, Trang Nguyen, a freelance designer, shared: "AI can create designs from existing data, but to create something completely new or solve complex social situations, AI is still a dreamer." Creativity and the ability to analyze deeply are still things that only humans can do. 

AI cons 

Not only stopping at the creative field, AI also has difficulty distinguishing reliable data sources. For example, tech editor June Wan experimented with ChatGPT writing a review of the iPhone 14 Pro. The results were impressive on the surface, but upon closer inspection, much of the information was inaccurate or outdated. This reflects that AI doesn't really understand concepts like humans, but only reuses the learned data. 

Moreover, despite its ability to write quickly and coherently, AI still cannot bring the emotional depth or attraction that humans want. A true writer not only provides information, but also builds arguments, creates his own perspective, and connects with readers through emotions – something that AI has not achieved. 

5. Master the technology, don't let the technology control you 

AI can help you answer any question, from how to invest to how to cook the right noodle soup, but how effective it is depends entirely on how you ask the question and use the results. Only when you have enough background knowledge will AI become an effective assistant instead of a "teacher" who talks long but not necessarily right. 

It's important to remember that, despite the vast amount of data that AI possesses, it still can't replace human acuity, creativity, and judgment – especially in unexpected situations or that require deep insights. So don't worry about AI dominating the world, but focus on honing your skills and using AI as a tool to improve your personal capabilities. 

Education and self-orientation play a key role. As the younger generation understands the limits of technology, learns how to take the best out of AI, and combines it with creative thinking, we will not only master the technology, but also shape a future where humans and machines go hand in hand to grow. 

Remember: Technology is just a tool, you are in control of the game!