The next wave of human development is already upon us. As we step into 2025, we mark not just the start of a new year, but the birth of a new generation: Generation Beta. This generation, born between 2025 and 2039, represents a pivotal shift in our world—one that is deeply shaped by rapid advancements in technology and artificial intelligence. By 2035, Generation Beta will account for 16% of the global population. They will be the children of younger Millennials (Gen Y) and older Gen Z, growing up in a world fundamentally different from the one we know today.
A New World, A New Generation
Generation Beta will be the first to grow up in a world where artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Unlike previous generations, they will never know a time without AI. For them, smart devices, automated systems, and virtual environments will be as natural as breathing. While Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) has witnessed the rise of smart technologies and AI, Generation Beta will see these tools become fully embedded in every aspect of life—education, work, healthcare, and entertainment.
This digital-first world will be one of personalization. AI algorithms will customize their experiences, from learning to shopping to socializing, shaping their childhoods in ways we can only imagine today. Generation Beta will also likely be the first to experience autonomous transportation at scale, wearable health technologies, and immersive virtual environments as routine parts of their daily lives.
A Legacy of Challenges and Opportunities
But the technological landscape that Generation Beta will inherit comes with both incredible opportunities and significant challenges. While advances in healthcare and longevity may allow them to live well into the 22nd century, they will face a world in crisis—grappling with climate change, shifting global populations, and rapid urbanization. Sustainability will not be a choice for them; it will be a necessity. Their parents, a mix of Millennial and older Gen Z individuals, will instill values of adaptability, eco-consciousness, and social equality in them.
Generation Beta will grow up in a globalized, interconnected world, where social justice, economic inequality, and climate change will be at the forefront of their concerns. The urgency of these issues will push them to innovate not just for convenience, but for survival and sustainability.
Navigating a Digitally Connected World
Social connection will look very different for Generation Beta. They will be born into a world where digital interaction is the default. While they will still have in-person relationships, their sense of belonging will blend seamlessly between physical spaces and digital communities. Their lives will be defined by constant connectivity and the ability to access information and each other from anywhere in the world.
Yet, with all this connectivity, Generation Beta will need to strike a balance. They will embody the intersection of hyper-connectivity and personal expression, finding ways to navigate an increasingly complex world while still maintaining a sense of individuality. They will redefine what it means to “belong” in a digital age.
A Generation Shaped by Technology and Change
Generation Beta’s story will be one of constant adaptation. As technology advances at an exponential rate, they will need to become lifelong learners, continually developing new skills to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. In many ways, they will be the most adaptable generation yet, equipped with the tools to navigate an interconnected and technologically advanced world.
However, these same advancements raise questions. As AI and automation take on a greater role in their lives, will Generation Beta lose touch with the fundamental aspects of human existence? While we once had to learn how to use the internet and smartphones, they will be born into a world where technology is simply a part of their reality. Will they have the same deep sense of curiosity and wonder that we experienced when the world was new to us? Will they miss the simple pleasures of life—the beauty of a quiet moment or the thrill of discovery?
Preserving Our Humanity Amidst Technology
We are at the threshold of a future where humans and technology are intertwined in ways we can’t yet fully comprehend. For all the marvels of a digital world, there is a deep concern that we might lose touch with the richness of the real world—the physical experiences that make us human. Will future generations, like Gen Beta, even use some of the functions of our bodies that we still rely on today? As they turn to AI for everything, how will this affect their emotional and physical well-being?
This raises an important question: how do we preserve our humanity in a world that is increasingly driven by technology? Perhaps it is time for projects that help us reconnect with the natural world and our own sense of self. In fact, my brother Jaiksana and I recently discussed the idea of creating a space—a project that could involve government investment—where people can go to escape the digital world and reconnect with themselves. A place free of AI and the constant demands of the internet, where we can return to the quiet moments we cherish.
The Path Forward: Shaping the Future
Generation Beta represents both the promise and the complexity of our future. They are poised to live in a world where technology offers incredible benefits, but also new challenges. Their lives will be deeply intertwined with AI, and they will be the first to experience a future where the digital and physical worlds are indistinguishable.
As we look to the future, it is essential that we prepare Generation Beta to thrive in this new reality. This means providing them with the education, skills, and opportunities to navigate a world that will be far more complex and interconnected than the one we know today.
In this new era, it is up to us to ensure that, even as we embrace technological advancement, we don’t lose sight of the simple, beautiful aspects of life—the ones that make us human. Generation Beta will have the power to shape the future, but it is our responsibility to help them understand the value of balance: between technology and humanity, progress and preservation, connection and solitude.
The future is now. Let’s make sure we guide it with care.
