AI Affects Most of the World's People – Whether They Realize It or Not

Roughly speaking, AI adoption varies sharply across generations (based on 2025–2026 data from sources like Deloitte, Pew Research, OECD, and Stanford AI Index).

Baby Boomers (1946–1964) use AI the least and often have the strongest opinions about it—despite limited personal experience. Only about 20% of Boomers have tried standalone generative AI tools, compared to much higher rates in younger groups (Deloitte 2025 survey).

Generation X (1965–1980) has started adopting AI, though many still rely primarily on traditional search like Google. Those who use it often treat it as a glorified search engine rather than a deep tool to simplify work and daily life—though adoption is rising fast (OECD ICT Usage Database 2025).

Millennials (Generation Y, 1981–1996) increasingly integrate AI into both private and professional lives, with consistent daily/weekly use for productivity, parenting, finance, and more (TheySaid 2026 analysis; Deloitte 2025).

Generation Z (1997–2012), or Zoomers, leads in daily AI use—for studies, entertainment, creativity, and practical benefits. Around 70–76% have used standalone generative AI tools like ChatGPT, the highest rate of any generation (Deloitte 2025; Master of Code 2026 stats).

Generation Alpha (roughly 2010–2024/2025) is growing up with AI as a completely natural part of life, much like cars were for Baby Boomers (whose parents, from the Silent Generation, 1928–1945, often had to save for years for their first one) (McCrindle Research; Britannica 2026 definition).

When people say they "don't understand what AI is for," they often miss how deeply it's already impacting their lives—even if they don't actively use tools like ChatGPT. Global generative AI adoption reached about 16.3% of the world's population by late 2025 (roughly 1 in 6 people), with over 1 billion monthly users of standalone platforms like ChatGPT (Microsoft AI Economy Institute 2025; DataReportal/Kepios 2025).

Here are just a few concrete examples of AI's real-world impact today:

Healthcare

• Diagnostics: AI analyzes medical images (X-rays, MRIs) for early detection of diseases like cancer.  
• Drug development: Accelerates discovery of new drugs and vaccines.  
• Robotic surgery: Delivers greater precision.

Finance & Banking

• Fraud prevention: Real-time transaction monitoring to spot anomalies.  
• Robo-advisors: Automated, personalized investment advice.  
• Credit risk assessment: AI models quickly evaluate risk.

Manufacturing & Industry

• Predictive maintenance: Forecasts machine failures to minimize downtime.  
• Quality control: Computer vision inspects products on assembly lines.  
• Supply chain optimization: Streamlines warehouses and logistics.

Cross-industry applications

• HR & recruitment: Screens candidates and predicts performance.  
• Administration: Automates repetitive tasks and data entry.

AI is already embedded in everyday life for most people—some just haven't realized the full extent yet. And with adoption surging (e.g., more than one-third of individuals in OECD countries used generative AI in 2025, with fastest growth among older adults from low bases), the gap between awareness and reality is closing fast (OECD 2026 announcement; Stanford AI Index 2025).

AI generated image with Grok

I am officially old

This Monday I got my first-ever pension payment — and although it'll be another nine years until the next one, receiving it left me with very mixed feelings.

This was a one-time payout, so I decided to invest in a small number of shares in Amazon (AMZN), Pfizer (PFE), Realty Income (O), and UnitedHealth Group (UNH). We've chosen to deviate from our initial strategy of focusing solely on dividend stocks by adding a smaller allocation to growth stocks — hence the inclusion of Amazon (AMZN).

Of the five private pension insurance policies I have in total, I somehow selected age 55 as the starting payout age for this particular one, which was disbursed on my 56th birthday. In hindsight, I really wish I had set age 55 as the payout age for all five policies, because honestly, no one cares about my money more than I do.

For example, in two of the four remaining pension policies, my options are limited to funds only — and even then, just the ones the occupational pension company has approved and included on their platform, rather than any fund I might choose myself. The remaining two pensions were the most recent ones I acquired, and that's when I had the insight to opt for a type of pension account that actually allows me to invest the contributions directly in shares/stocks.

Today, only one of the five pension insurance policies is still receiving ongoing contributions. The other three are now on their own, growing through investment returns without any more additions from me.

AI generated image with Grok

Anonymity becomes anarchy

Almost all customer service reps in government and private companies now use fake names. Governments and companies do this to shield employees from threats by dissatisfied customers upset with decisions or service. I empathize with the need for protection, but this approach only treats symptoms, not the root cause. Unfortunately, anonymity creates other serious problems.

In my view, these have been greatly exacerbated by the explosion of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. I know several studies claim remote work has neutral or even positive effects on productivity. But these must be weighed against potential biases.

For example, the 2026 Remote Work Well-Being Survey (published February 5, 2026, by CoworkingCafe) reports mostly positive effects: 62% of remote workers say they get more done at home, and over half report better focus. Yet CoworkingCafe benefits indirectly but substantially from continued remote/hybrid work growth—as a platform that lists and promotes coworking spaces as a "solution" for remote workers needing variety or collaboration.

Since the pandemic, remote work has surged dramatically. In my experience and opinion, this has caused a clear drop in service quality from both companies and public authorities. I'm convinced remote workers often underperform compared to on-site work.

Remote setups make employees "invisible": shortcomings—or outright failure to do the job—rarely carry consequences. No consequences → private companies risk long-term decline or bankruptcy as frustrated customers switch to competitors.

This market pressure doesn't exist for government agencies funded by taxpayers. I believe they should face some form of competition too—so they actually have to earn their funding.

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A month of Sundays

The world's most perfect husband has been receiving retirement money every month for the past 3.5 years from one of his private retirement plans. Although it's good that he has access to his own money, it felt a little terrible that he turned 55 and started receiving pension money.

At the beginning of the year, I received a letter from one of my pension administrators, which is completely normal since you always receive information about how the insurance developed during the previous year. What was abnormal was that they would pay out this insurance. Since I hadn't contacted them when I turned 55 last year, they were now going to sell the entire contents on my 56th birthday and wanted an account number for payment. I, who was convinced that I had chosen 65 as the first payment date for all my private retirement plans, was completely shocked.

When the worst of the shock had subsided and I was starting to look forward to investing this money that will arrive at the end of this week or the beginning of next, the world's most perfect teenager came with a request.

He will be taking his final exams for his IB Diploma Programme in April and May this year and was wondering if he could get a tutor. The exact same thing happened last fall when I received a small inheritance. Unaware that I had just received the money, he asked if he could get a tutor for his SATs. Since he did exceptionally well on the SAT exam, I cannot say no to this.

So once again a large portion of my money goes to the world's most expensive accessory...

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We just don't speak the same language

The world's most perfect husband and I have been together for almost 32 years. Over the past year, we have spent pretty much every hour of the day together, and before that we worked side by side for 10 years. Spending so much time together has made us truly understand, unlike when someone says it, that men and women have very different ways of expressing themselves.

Despite this realization, I can still, albeit very rarely, get incredibly irritated with him when he doesn't understand what I mean or am trying to say. Aside from his lack of ability to express himself as a woman 😉 (Dr. Phil said it best; your husband is a man, not your girlfriend) I love him more than anything and can't imagine a life without him.

AI generated image with Grok