The AI Generation Gap: How Different Demographics Are Using -- and Trusting -- Generative Tools

Generative AI is now embedded in many of the tools people rely on every day -- often without them realizing it. From navigation apps to facial recognition to AI-powered search, it quietly shapes routines in ways that feel natural and, for many, almost invisible.

Findings from "The AI Tipping Point," a report from The Lens at specialist media publisher Future, reveal just how deeply these tools have become a part of daily life -- and how differently they're understood and used across age groups.

AI adoption may be growing rapidly, but how people use and think about the technology varies widely by generation. Younger consumers, namely, millennials and Gen Z, are more likely to recognize when they're using AI and engage with it intentionally. Older generations may interact with it just as often, but in a more passive way and without thinking of it as "AI."

Across all ages, many appreciate AI's ability to simplify tasks, speed decisions, and personalize experiences. For marketers, that's more than a data point -- it's a window into how to speak to curiosity, address caution, and earn trust in a rapidly evolving landscape.