Generation Z and Y – are they different, when it comes to trust in robots?

Abstract

Readiness is still a hot topic in the 21st century, but it is not about modern ICT technology any more, but about artificial intelligence (AI) and robots in specific. Robots are the new industrial revolution. They can extend human sensory, psychomotor, and cognitive capabilities, and for this, they are feared, or even abhorred by some. The new generations, however, seem to be much more eager to engage with them. Present paper intends to analyse international literature about young generations' attitudes towards AI and robots and presents a primary research about Hungarian young people's attitude towards robots. The aim of the paper is to test the statements of international literature against a suitable sample of Y and Z generation people, to figure out, whether there are real significant differences between the two generations, when it comes to robots and trust in them. On the basis of the data presented in the paper generation Z is much more willing to engage with robots, than generation Y. However, this attitude is not generated by their "loneliness", but originates from their need for personal contact. Hence, the research did not only succeed in identifying differences between the two generations under scrutiny, but pinpointed a difference that is rather neglected, or misinterpreted in international literature.