I often argue that if you were a teenager around the year 2000, you were born into a golden age. This article explores why that period was so unique—and more importantly, what responsibilities that places on us today.
Why?
Sometimes the simplest benchmarks are the most enduring. For example, many may have heard of the Turing Test—a concept proposed by British computer scientist Alan Turing in 1950. In his landmark paper, “Computing Machinery and Intelligence”, Turing famously posed the question:
“Can machines think?”
His answer was elegantly straightforward: if a machine can engage in conversation with a human without being identified as a machine, it can be said to exhibit human-like intelligence. Despite decades of mind-bending progress in computing and AI, this basic test remains one of the most intuitive measures of machine intelligence.
Fast forward 75 years—the digital landscape has transformed exponentially. We've rewritten our understanding of what computers can do, amassed an astronomical database of knowledge, and AI is no longer just a concept—it’s a tangible reality. Yet, the Turing Test still holds its ground.
But what does this have to do with those of us born between 1982 and 1987?
The Golden Age Thesis
If you belong to this cohort, you were lucky to experience a rare balance. We played as much cricket in the field as we played on PlayStations. We navigated a world that was still analog, while simultaneously witnessing the dawn of the digital era.
Our adolescence coincided with the birth of the internet age. While our minds were still flexible, curious, and forming worldviews, the internet quietly started reshaping how humans connect, learn, and work. In contrast, our parents—typically in their 40s to 60s then—had already matured into their careers and habits. Many resisted the wave of upskilling required by the digital revolution, often relegating computer literacy to 'something for the younger generation.'
We, however, stood at the crossroads, uniquely positioned to blend the grit and social dynamics of the physical world with the emerging potential of the digital one.
A World Transformed: The Data Speaks
Consider the numbers that chart this change:
These aren’t just statistics; they reflect a profound shift in how the world operates. And it’s no coincidence that we thrived because we were agile enough to adapt early.
What Now?
We now find ourselves at the cusp of another transformation—this time, driven by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. AI is not just a technological marvel; it is redefining professions, skills, and industries at an unprecedented pace.
Here’s the catch: if we, the so-called 'golden age adolescents,' do not actively upskill and engage with AI, we risk becoming as obsolete in this new world as many of our parents became when the computer era unfolded.
The onus is on us to bridge yet another gap—this time between human potential and artificial intelligence. We’ve been here before, and we adapted. The question is—will we do it again?
The Way Forward
Interestingly, I notice that many of my peers—those who belong to this 'golden age'—display a hesitation similar to our parents back in the early 2000s. While perhaps not as pronounced, there is still an undercurrent of resistance to the sweeping changes AI is bringing. Some doubt its sustainability; many doubt its reach.
To all the skeptics, here’s some news: the change isn’t on the horizon—it’s already here. Like the internet, mobile phones, and e-commerce before it, AI's wave will soon swell into a tsunami, catching the unprepared off guard.
So what should we, the young professionals of the golden age, do? We start preparing immediately.
If you’re a complete beginner, here’s a practical learning path I’ve been following myself:
Phase 1: Start by having fun! Experiment with free AI tools like ChatGPT (free version), Google Gemini, or Grok. Use them to generate travel plans, quirky facts, stories for your kids, or create images—activities that feel like play rather than work.
Phase 2: Gradually integrate these tools into work tasks. Try using them for clerical letters, summarizing documents, or even drafting leave applications.
Phase 3: Progress to more complex applications—like writing detailed business letters, raising technical queries, or performing data analysis with Excel and AI assisted tools.
Phase 4: Deepen your understanding. Explore the theory behind AI through free resources like IBM SkillsBuild, online tutorials, books, and eventually, structured paid courses tailored to your professional needs.
The Conclusion
We were the first to bridge the analog and digital divide—now we must bridge the human and artificial. If we fail to upskill, we risk becoming the very people we once vowed never to be: resistant, disconnected, and left behind by technology’s march.
The AI revolution is here. The question is—will you ride the wave, or wait to be swept away?
(This article has been submitted by a Guest Author at Jaano Junction.)
