Heir to a world shaped by technological advances and environmental concerns, the beta generation is, according to consulting firm McCrindle , the daughter of generative artificial intelligence. We are referring to the offspring of millennials and the older generation Z , who will be born between 2025 and 2039 (the former are already here). They are the same ones who, within 10 years, will reach 16% of the world’s population . Looking back, we can see that baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and generation X (1965-1981) did not experience major changes in their relationship with technology; millennials ( 1981-1996) were the protagonists of the change from analog to digital, and centennials (also called generation Z, born after 1997) have been determined by high-speed and wireless internet connections . If millennials are the generation of MSN Messenger and Facebook, centennials are the generation of stories , ephemeral content and videos on all social networks. They have even changed the rules of the game when it comes to searching for information on the Internet: now people do away with search engines like Google, in order to navigate directly within the networks .

The hyperconnected world of the alpha generation

After the centennials comes the alpha generation, born after 2010, whose “oldest” members are 14 or 15 years old. They have grown up surrounded by touchscreen devices , high-speed internet and the omnipresence of social media. What best defines their digital user experience is fluidity and ubiquity. In many cases, they interact from a very early age with screens, applications and platforms such as YouTube Kids. More than 36% of children aged 0 to 11 are active internet users, outnumbering teenage users by 11.6 million . Alphas have become accustomed to getting information and entertainment instantly. All through voice commands and virtual assistants. But they are not passive users. They like interactivity. And they demand it through participation in games and multimedia content. They are used to algorithms offering them content “tailored” to their preferences, from videos to advertising.

Identity tailored to your platforms

Generation Alpha has shaped its digital identity through the platforms they use. YouTube, TikTok, Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox are some of the spaces and metaverses where they build communities and socialize. In these settings, they express their opinions on complex issues that affect them in the physical world . How have you shaped your digital culture? Mainly through content creation as a form of expression. Not only do you consume, but you also produce videos, memes, and live streams. And most of the time in a collaborative way. Virtual platforms and metaverses like Minecraft and Roblox allow them to participate, designing their own games, characters, and stories. This inclination toward creation and gamification is reflected in their learning preferences: more than half of the alphas surveyed prefer games and apps that teach useful skills .

Beta generation: artificial intelligence in the veins

Betas are likely to be even more dependent on technology than their predecessors. But in a different way. They will be the first native generation in an everyday digital context strongly mediated by generative artificial intelligence. Specifically, it could be anticipated that the beta generation will experience full integration with AI, as this technology will not only be a tool, but a constant companion. All of this through personalized virtual assistants, adaptive learning systems and NPCs – players who are bots , not controlled by the player – on virtual platforms. They will also coexist with a greater number of extended reality experiences , as virtual worlds and augmented reality will become as common as touch screens. The line between the physical and the digital will become even more blurred, as will the integration of AI into the metaverse. They will have a greater concern for privacy and security, as they will grow up in an environment where personal data will be crucial to fine-tuning digital experiences, as is the case with Meta’s Orion project . This segment should be more aware of their digital footprint and more demanding regarding the security of their information. In addition, they will exhibit advanced digital skills, because they will have an intuitive handling of emerging technologies such as quantum computing, AI development and decentralized networks through blockchain .

Symbiosis of beta with AI

Artificial intelligence will help define their interests, preferences and even their way of thinking. Predictive algorithms will provide better user experiences by anticipating their needs. In other words, their relationship with AI will be symbiotic. AI will learn from them, evolving from their interactions and preferences. This will likely lead to the development of new models of hybrid intelligence . In these, the human brain and computers will complement and enhance each other in more profound ways. Although it is not possible to predict exactly what their future will be like, current indications suggest that this will be a generation that will redefine the human relationship with the digital world. If the alpha generation has demonstrated the power of virtuality and digital immersion, the beta generation, with AI as its co-star, will reach a level of technological integration that is still unimaginable. Are we parents, educators, social leaders, institutions and governments prepared to understand and guide this generation? Author Bios: Pavel Sidorenko Baptista is Professor and Researcher at the Faculty of Business and Communication at UNIR – International University of La Rioja and Jose Maria Herranz de la Casa is Professor of Journalism at the University of Castilla-La Mancha