What AI Is Stealing from Gen Z - Brad Edwards

You're on the ground, we've already You're on the ground, we've already established this, in a state that's established this, in a state that's established this, in a state that's changed a lot in 20 years. changed a lot in 20 years. changed a lot in 20 years. So, So, So, what's next? what's next? what's next? What what's coming down the pike, kind What what's coming down the pike, kind What what's coming down the pike, kind of so to speak? of so to speak? of so to speak? >> Yeah. Man, I gosh, you're going to open >> Yeah. Man, I gosh, you're going to open >> Yeah. Man, I gosh, you're going to open up a whole can of worms to my galaxy up a whole can of worms to my galaxy up a whole can of worms to my galaxy brain. brain. brain. Um I Um I Um I I mean, I I like many people am am I mean, I I like many people am am I mean, I I like many people am am pretty consumed with the um the pretty consumed with the um the pretty consumed with the um the tradeoffs and the the the technological tradeoffs and the the the technological tradeoffs and the the the technological catalyst that is AI. catalyst that is AI. catalyst that is AI. Um already I wrote in the article that Um already I wrote in the article that Um already I wrote in the article that um was was paired with the the um was was paired with the the um was was paired with the the announcement in the latest issue that um announcement in the latest issue that um announcement in the latest issue that um in our table students, our our youth in our table students, our our youth in our table students, our our youth ministry, ministry, ministry, uh there was somebody who in our church uh there was somebody who in our church uh there was somebody who in our church works for Google and you know, in a way works for Google and you know, in a way works for Google and you know, in a way that was not actually going to like the that was not actually going to like the that was not actually going to like the conversation was not supposed to be conversation was not supposed to be conversation was not supposed to be about AI. He just asked very simply, about AI. He just asked very simply, about AI. He just asked very simply, like when you have a question that you like when you have a question that you like when you have a question that you don't think that your parents or even don't think that your parents or even don't think that your parents or even your pastor um know the answer to, where your pastor um know the answer to, where your pastor um know the answer to, where do you go? And a a a not do you go? And a a a not do you go? And a a a not insignificant number of them said, "Oh, insignificant number of them said, "Oh, insignificant number of them said, "Oh, chat GPT."

chat GPT." chat GPT." And we're talking about like raging, you And we're talking about like raging, you And we're talking about like raging, you know, middle school, like sixth grade know, middle school, like sixth grade know, middle school, like sixth grade all the way up through 12th grade, but all the way up through 12th grade, but all the way up through 12th grade, but most of them in middle school, also. And most of them in middle school, also. And most of them in middle school, also. And I think just whether that is actually I think just whether that is actually I think just whether that is actually true, like that's what they actually do, true, like that's what they actually do, true, like that's what they actually do, or that's just what all their peers are or that's just what all their peers are or that's just what all their peers are saying, that communicates to me at a saying, that communicates to me at a saying, that communicates to me at a a a a value and an eagerness for this to a a a value and an eagerness for this to a a a value and an eagerness for this to continue to develop and become more continue to develop and become more continue to develop and become more ubiquitous in ways that I'm just not ubiquitous in ways that I'm just not ubiquitous in ways that I'm just not sure that we're prepared for yet. Um sure that we're prepared for yet. Um sure that we're prepared for yet. Um because I I because I I because I I you know, let me put it this way, um you know, let me put it this way, um you know, let me put it this way, um I haven't written about this anywhere I haven't written about this anywhere I haven't written about this anywhere yet, so yet, so yet, so this is a bit of a hot take, but you this is a bit of a hot take, but you this is a bit of a hot take, but you know, Tristan Harris said that says that know, Tristan Harris said that says that know, Tristan Harris said that says that there's a you know, every time we see there's a you know, every time we see there's a you know, every time we see the invention of a new novel technology, the invention of a new novel technology, the invention of a new novel technology, what that does is it surfaces a resource what that does is it surfaces a resource what that does is it surfaces a resource that we didn't know was a resource that we didn't know was a resource that we didn't know was a resource before, and then commodifies it, right? before, and then commodifies it, right? before, and then commodifies it, right? So, the the clock, you know, So, the the clock, you know, So, the the clock, you know, the resource was time. You know, when the resource was time. You know, when the resource was time. You know, when you scheduled meetings, you weren't you you scheduled meetings, you weren't you you scheduled meetings, you weren't you didn't have a specific time. It was like didn't have a specific time. It was like didn't have a specific time. It was like midday, and you'd have to wait around midday, and you'd have to wait around midday, and you'd have to wait around for that person to show up, maybe as for that person to show up, maybe as for that person to show up, maybe as long as an hour or two, right?

long as an hour or two, right? long as an hour or two, right? We just didn't have efficiency, but when We just didn't have efficiency, but when We just didn't have efficiency, but when we were able to measure time, that we were able to measure time, that we were able to measure time, that created the value of efficiency. created the value of efficiency. created the value of efficiency. Social media, right? We have Social media, right? We have Social media, right? We have Attention. Attention. Attention. >> What's attention? Exactly. That wasn't >> What's attention? Exactly. That wasn't >> What's attention? Exactly. That wasn't even really in our vocabulary. And now even really in our vocabulary. And now even really in our vocabulary. And now it is the basis of profit for the vast it is the basis of profit for the vast it is the basis of profit for the vast majority of our GDP. majority of our GDP. majority of our GDP. That's wild, right? That's wild, right? That's wild, right? AI, I think the resource that it's going AI, I think the resource that it's going AI, I think the resource that it's going to commodify is agency. to commodify is agency. to commodify is agency. And I think that agency is going to be And I think that agency is going to be And I think that agency is going to be the thing that we are is both marketed the thing that we are is both marketed the thing that we are is both marketed to us like this is the promise that it's to us like this is the promise that it's to us like this is the promise that it's going to give you, but it's also going going to give you, but it's also going going to give you, but it's also going to rob us of something of that because to rob us of something of that because to rob us of something of that because there's something about the you know, I there's something about the you know, I there's something about the you know, I I know as an author you understand this I know as an author you understand this I know as an author you understand this like the thing that terrifies me about like the thing that terrifies me about like the thing that terrifies me about using chat chat GPT is using chat chat GPT is using chat chat GPT is um um um is is how easy it is to to go to that is is how easy it is to to go to that is is how easy it is to to go to that rather than face the tyranny of the rather than face the tyranny of the rather than face the tyranny of the blank page. blank page. blank page. Right? That part of the the the creative Right? That part of the the the creative Right? That part of the the the creative process of like I don't even know what process of like I don't even know what process of like I don't even know what I'm going to say. I don't even know I'm going to say. I don't even know I'm going to say. I don't even know where to start. Like if chat GPT does where to start. Like if chat GPT does where to start. Like if chat GPT does that for us, I think that there's a that for us, I think that there's a that for us, I think that there's a muscle somewhere inside us that is going muscle somewhere inside us that is going muscle somewhere inside us that is going to atrophy. And if that is the case for, to atrophy. And if that is the case for, to atrophy. And if that is the case for, you know, just writing or or content you know, just writing or or content you know, just writing or or content um um um take that same principle and apply it to take that same principle and apply it to take that same principle and apply it to all these other areas of life that it's all these other areas of life that it's all these other areas of life that it's promising to give you greater superhuman promising to give you greater superhuman promising to give you greater superhuman agency for and and how might what are agency for and and how might what are agency for and and how might what are the tradeoffs that might make you the tradeoffs that might make you the tradeoffs that might make you subhuman in that rather than fully subhuman in that rather than fully subhuman in that rather than fully human?

human? human? That's the the the big I think that's That's the the the big I think that's That's the the the big I think that's the big uh the big uh the big uh the the the unexplored landscape that we the the the unexplored landscape that we the the the unexplored landscape that we we're looking at. Let me give you we're looking at. Let me give you we're looking at. Let me give you another reason for church. another reason for church. another reason for church. Uh a reason for church Uh a reason for church Uh a reason for church is that you is that you is that you might just show up to a Sunday school might just show up to a Sunday school might just show up to a Sunday school class class class and have a discussion about Hartmut and have a discussion about Hartmut and have a discussion about Hartmut Rosa's The Uncontrollability of the Rosa's The Uncontrollability of the Rosa's The Uncontrollability of the world in the context of digital world in the context of digital world in the context of digital technology with a sense for how AI as it technology with a sense for how AI as it technology with a sense for how AI as it commodifies agency commodifies agency commodifies agency will be something that exacerbates that will be something that exacerbates that will be something that exacerbates that existing sense that we must dominate existing sense that we must dominate existing sense that we must dominate everything in our sphere by expanding everything in our sphere by expanding everything in our sphere by expanding what we control what we control what we control as opposed to living a world of as opposed to living a world of as opposed to living a world of resonance with the things around us, the resonance with the things around us, the resonance with the things around us, the natural world, other human beings, natural world, other human beings, natural world, other human beings, um, um, um, receiving the world as something from receiving the world as something from receiving the world as something from God as opposed to the world as something God as opposed to the world as something God as opposed to the world as something that we must we have a compulsion to that we must we have a compulsion to that we must we have a compulsion to dominate. Mhm. So, that was our Sunday dominate. Mhm. So, that was our Sunday dominate. Mhm. So, that was our Sunday school class school class school class >> Oh my gosh. I I can't Did you record >> Oh my gosh. I I can't Did you record >> Oh my gosh. I I can't Did you record that? Can I have it?

that? Can I have it? that? Can I have it? >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I mean >> I mean >> I mean >> Well, I'd not thought about that before. >> Well, I'd not thought about that before. >> Well, I'd not thought about that before. AI as agency, but immediately I went AI as agency, but immediately I went AI as agency, but immediately I went back to a quote that I had again from back to a quote that I had again from back to a quote that I had again from him that I use in my cultural him that I use in my cultural him that I use in my cultural apologetics class about the apologetics class about the apologetics class about the especially American impulse that we have especially American impulse that we have especially American impulse that we have to conquer everything. Yes. We must to conquer everything. Yes. We must to conquer everything. Yes. We must control everything. I was applying it to control everything. I was applying it to control everything. I was applying it to gambling. So, the reason it came up is gambling. So, the reason it came up is gambling. So, the reason it came up is because we were just having a because we were just having a because we were just having a discussion. These are mostly young discussion. These are mostly young discussion. These are mostly young people, mostly Gen Z in this group. A people, mostly Gen Z in this group. A people, mostly Gen Z in this group. A lot of Gen Z in my church, probably the lot of Gen Z in my church, probably the lot of Gen Z in my church, probably the biggest age cohort or there are biggest age cohort or there are biggest age cohort or there are millennials. millennials. millennials. And one of the guys next to me, younger And one of the guys next to me, younger And one of the guys next to me, younger guy, was talking about about gambling guy, was talking about about gambling guy, was talking about about gambling and I had been mentioning Rosa's and I had been mentioning Rosa's and I had been mentioning Rosa's discussion of sports as a really good discussion of sports as a really good discussion of sports as a really good example of resonance, a positive thing example of resonance, a positive thing example of resonance, a positive thing where you cannot control He uses soccer, where you cannot control He uses soccer, where you cannot control He uses soccer, obviously he's German, so he uses soccer obviously he's German, so he uses soccer obviously he's German, so he uses soccer as an example. He said if you could as an example. He said if you could as an example. He said if you could control that, all the interest would go control that, all the interest would go control that, all the interest would go away. I realized but we do try to away. I realized but we do try to away. I realized but we do try to control it through gambling. control it through gambling. control it through gambling. That's how we control it. That's we get That's how we control it. That's we get That's how we control it. That's we get rid of the resonance and we control it.

rid of the resonance and we control it. rid of the resonance and we control it. And then I made the broader point about And then I made the broader point about And then I made the broader point about how, you know, the the the categorical how, you know, the the the categorical how, you know, the the the categorical imperative of modern life in the modern imperative of modern life in the modern imperative of modern life in the modern West is you must dominate everything. West is you must dominate everything. West is you must dominate everything. Well, if AI is agency, as you're Well, if AI is agency, as you're Well, if AI is agency, as you're arguing, then arguing, then arguing, then that will only serve to advance the that will only serve to advance the that will only serve to advance the categorical imperative of modernity. categorical imperative of modernity. categorical imperative of modernity. Well, and I mean I mean another word for Well, and I mean I mean another word for Well, and I mean I mean another word for agency is power agency is power agency is power too. Like I mean I mean it's it's too. Like I mean I mean it's it's too. Like I mean I mean it's it's interesting, you know, when you when you interesting, you know, when you when you interesting, you know, when you when you started that with talking about Sunday started that with talking about Sunday started that with talking about Sunday school, my my first like where my head school, my my first like where my head school, my my first like where my head went immediately was, "Oh, yeah, went immediately was, "Oh, yeah, went immediately was, "Oh, yeah, children Sunday school." Like if I have children Sunday school." Like if I have children Sunday school." Like if I have to if I'm showing up, I'm like I like I to if I'm showing up, I'm like I like I to if I'm showing up, I'm like I like I can I became a Christian as an adult. So can I became a Christian as an adult. So can I became a Christian as an adult. So like I'm like I'm like I'm I am very much learning at the expense I am very much learning at the expense I am very much learning at the expense of my kids like what it means to of my kids like what it means to of my kids like what it means to disciple young people, right? And so I I disciple young people, right? And so I I disciple young people, right? And so I I never was on the receiving end of that. never was on the receiving end of that. never was on the receiving end of that. I don't have those resources to draw on I don't have those resources to draw on I don't have those resources to draw on uh and like things to riff off of. But uh and like things to riff off of. But uh and like things to riff off of. But going into a children's ministry, you going into a children's ministry, you going into a children's ministry, you know, a know, a know, a a children's Sunday school and you know, a children's Sunday school and you know, a children's Sunday school and you know, if you feel like unconfident like I if you feel like unconfident like I if you feel like unconfident like I would and anxious, I'm like, "God, I would and anxious, I'm like, "God, I would and anxious, I'm like, "God, I want to do right by this. I want to you want to do right by this. I want to you want to do right by this. I want to you know, and I help these kids." If I'm know, and I help these kids." If I'm know, and I help these kids." If I'm using AI in some way to either replace using AI in some way to either replace using AI in some way to either replace me or to to supplement or like leaning me or to to supplement or like leaning me or to to supplement or like leaning on AI more than I'm leaning on God and on AI more than I'm leaning on God and on AI more than I'm leaning on God and prayer, who gets the credit when it goes prayer, who gets the credit when it goes prayer, who gets the credit when it goes well? Yeah.

well? Yeah. well? Yeah. And and and I'm robbing myself of an And and and I'm robbing myself of an And and and I'm robbing myself of an experience of God showing up in the experience of God showing up in the experience of God showing up in the midst of that and not just like giving midst of that and not just like giving midst of that and not just like giving me the right words to say, but actually me the right words to say, but actually me the right words to say, but actually affecting the change in children's affecting the change in children's affecting the change in children's hearts when I don't have the right hearts when I don't have the right hearts when I don't have the right words. That's a words. That's a words. That's a that that could that could very easily that that could that could very easily that that could that could very easily be a trade-off in a very just just a be a trade-off in a very just just a be a trade-off in a very just just a very practical concrete way. very practical concrete way. very practical concrete way. Never mind the economic and you know, Never mind the economic and you know, Never mind the economic and you know, disruption that is it's it's likely to disruption that is it's it's likely to disruption that is it's it's likely to cause. Yeah. cause. Yeah. cause. Yeah. Had a conversation just this morning. Had a conversation just this morning. Had a conversation just this morning. Talked to somebody who teaches uh video Talked to somebody who teaches uh video Talked to somebody who teaches uh video game design. game design. game design. And I was asking about AI and AI has And I was asking about AI and AI has And I was asking about AI and AI has been going for a long time in video game been going for a long time in video game been going for a long time in video game design. design. design. And he said that students object to him And he said that students object to him And he said that students object to him when he marks them off saying when he marks them off saying when he marks them off saying it wasn't me who did this, it was AI. it wasn't me who did this, it was AI. it wasn't me who did this, it was AI. So, you can't mark me down So, you can't mark me down So, you can't mark me down for this. That's a whole [laughter] new That's a whole [laughter] new I That's a whole new AI does the work.

I That's a whole new AI does the work. I That's a whole new AI does the work. >> Woah. I have no problem with AI doing >> Woah. I have no problem with AI doing >> Woah. I have no problem with AI doing the work, but you can't mark me off for the work, but you can't mark me off for the work, but you can't mark me off for anything [laughter] because AI did it. anything [laughter] because AI did it. anything [laughter] because AI did it. It was the computer. I mean, credit and It was the computer. I mean, credit and It was the computer. I mean, credit and blame are two different ways of saying blame are two different ways of saying blame are two different ways of saying the same thing. So, yeah, like who gets the same thing. So, yeah, like who gets the same thing. So, yeah, like who gets the credit and the blame? Oh, man. Yeah, the credit and the blame? Oh, man. Yeah, the credit and the blame? Oh, man. Yeah, with agency goes responsibility. Um Yay. with agency goes responsibility. Um Yay. with agency goes responsibility. Um Yay. >> But, the whole point of whose work is >> But, the whole point of whose work is >> But, the whole point of whose work is this? this? this? Another professor tells me that he Another professor tells me that he Another professor tells me that he confronted a student and said, confronted a student and said, confronted a student and said, "I can't I can't award you points for "I can't I can't award you points for "I can't I can't award you points for this paper. It's clearly written by AI." this paper. It's clearly written by AI." this paper. It's clearly written by AI." And the student says, And the student says, And the student says, "What's the problem with that? I wrote "What's the problem with that? I wrote "What's the problem with that? I wrote the prompts. the prompts. the prompts. If I wrote the prompts, that means I If I wrote the prompts, that means I If I wrote the prompts, that means I wrote the essay." wrote the essay." wrote the essay." So, no, that's not how it works. And So, no, that's not how it works. And So, no, that's not how it works. And this student was incomprehending. this student was incomprehending. this student was incomprehending. It made no sense at all. How could this It made no sense at all. How could this It made no sense at all. How could this be? be? be? >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So, I think you just really hit the nail >> So, I think you just really hit the nail >> So, I think you just really hit the nail on the head. We're in for a lot on the head. We're in for a lot on the head. We're in for a lot [laughter] of confusion about agency.

[laughter] of confusion about agency. [laughter] of confusion about agency. And then I take a step back to a remnant And then I take a step back to a remnant And then I take a step back to a remnant mentality mentality mentality because what does what is the resonance because what does what is the resonance because what does what is the resonance response to this response to this response to this sense that we have to exercise our sense that we have to exercise our sense that we have to exercise our agency to achieve power and control agency to achieve power and control agency to achieve power and control everything? everything? everything? Well, the response is as a remnant Well, the response is as a remnant Well, the response is as a remnant you are constrained to pursue the things you are constrained to pursue the things you are constrained to pursue the things that are under your proximate control. that are under your proximate control. that are under your proximate control. To serve your family, to serve your To serve your family, to serve your To serve your family, to serve your church, to serve your community, church, to serve your community, church, to serve your community, and you are not anxious with this and you are not anxious with this and you are not anxious with this ever-present sense that you must be ever-present sense that you must be ever-present sense that you must be dominating. You must be dominating. You must be dominating. You must be um productivity maxing or body maxing or um productivity maxing or body maxing or um productivity maxing or body maxing or whatever else that is out there. We whatever else that is out there. We whatever else that is out there. We often think of younger people as often think of younger people as often think of younger people as slackers. slackers. slackers. I sense that that's the opposite going I sense that that's the opposite going I sense that that's the opposite going to be the case. They're going to be AI to be the case. They're going to be AI to be the case. They're going to be AI maxers and then using what other time to maxers and then using what other time to maxers and then using what other time to body max or whatever else, you know, we body max or whatever else, you know, we body max or whatever else, you know, we want to look at there. Um so it's likely want to look at there. Um so it's likely want to look at there. Um so it's likely you're not not going to be looking at you're not not going to be looking at you're not not going to be looking at younger generations thinking, "Boy, why younger generations thinking, "Boy, why younger generations thinking, "Boy, why won't they just get off their, you know, won't they just get off their, you know, won't they just get off their, you know, bottoms and do something?" But more bottoms and do something?" But more bottoms and do something?" But more like, like, like, "Oh, wow, they're setting expectations "Oh, wow, they're setting expectations "Oh, wow, they're setting expectations here of of accelerating here of of accelerating here of of accelerating just achievement that, exacerbated by just achievement that, exacerbated by just achievement that, exacerbated by AI, AI, AI, the rest of us can hardly even the rest of us can hardly even the rest of us can hardly even comprehend."