As part of our mission to decode Gen Z’s world, we asked 1,000 Student Edge members a simple question: What was their life like before generative AI? Their answers paint a picture of a generation navigating a Faustian bargain. They benefit from the speed and convenience that generative AI offers, especially for study and information access, but they also feel the cost. That cost is creativity, trust, and a sense of pride in doing things the hard way.

Responses reveal a subtle tension between two worlds. In the world before generative AI, life was slower and more effortful. But it was also described as more human, more creative, and more honest. Today, young people appreciate how generative AI can summarise, generate, and explain in seconds. But they are also wary that something valuable is being lost.

A 17 year old man captures the appeal of today’s tools with a playful reflection, probably using generative AI to co-generate an answer:

“Back in my day, we used to type things into a little box on a screen, and this thing called ChatGPT would answer like a really smart friend. It could help with anything—writing stories, answering questions, even giving advice. It was like having a talking [sic.] encyclopaedia, but way cooler because it could actually understand what you meant.”

This friendly helper has become a default part of student life. But there is a growing awareness that something more original, effortful, and trustworthy may be slipping away.

The effort that shaped us

Respondents described how, before generative AI, they had to “use their own brain” to complete assignments, create art, or find information. Research took time. Answers came from reading books or comparing online sources, not by asking a chatbot.

“Before generative AI, we had to borrow library books or take the time to surface through the internet thoroughly in order to find the exact information we needed. It strengthened our research skills… Now, with the click of a finger you are able to easily use AI… Life seems quicker and simpler now doesn’t it? But is it really better this way?” – 19 yrs woman



“Before ChatGPT, we didn’t have a robot or computer to check our work or even write our emails. We had to purely use our OWN BRAIN, or get someone more experienced to help. That meant more human interaction… we could celebrate our own achievements and hard work.” – 23 yrs woman


Some of the most reflective responses came from those who used generative AI daily but remembered how things used to feel.


“Life was different. I would always think we are so ahead with technology, only if we had a smart helper like a robot. University research took days. Last-minute assignments were always a mistake. I could somewhat trust what I saw online. Deepfake was not a threat. The world was more peaceful.” – 23 yrs man


Creativity, lost or replaced?


Gen Z spoke about a time when creative expression required effort, and that effort made the result feel more personal. They miss drawing, writing, or designing using their own ideas. While generative AI has expanded what is possible, there is unease about its impact on meaning and artistic value.


“The thing I will miss most from back in my day is being able to make art, no matter how good or bad, and feeling proud because I made it. It may seem like a waste of time now that we can simply manifest Studio Ghibli memes, but there’s something about accomplishing something yourself that AI will never replace.” – 24 yrs man




“AI allows people to express and explore many things without the required skillset… but it means works done by skilled artists won’t have the same impact on them as it did on us when we were their age.” – 24 yrs man


While not everyone agreed that generative AI devalues creativity, even those who use it regularly expressed concern that originality, pride, and imagination might be lost.


A question of safety


For young women in particular, the shift from a human-driven internet to one dominated by generative AI content feels personal. They reflect not only on the changes in learning, but also on emotional safety, trust, and vulnerability.


“I would describe it as safer. It’s really scary going on social media nowadays and seeing so many AI-generated posts. So many of them look so real. Everyone was smarter and used their brain instead of making ChatGPT do their work.” – 16 yrs woman




“There was a lot less concern over misinformation or false images. People were able to scroll through TikTok or go about their day without worrying if what they saw was real. It was harder to find information quickly, but it also meant you had to think more.” – 16 yrs woman




“Simpler, calmer, not as scary. Didn’t have to worry about having my identity [being] stolen as easily and have people make fake nudes of me.” – 19 yrs woman


This concern about safety and trust appears more frequently in female responses and becomes less common with age. For older respondents, it tends to evolve into broader concerns about credibility, bias, or misinformation. But for younger teens, the emotional dimension of safety remains front of mind.


Sarcasm and realism


Male respondents were more likely to approach the topic with a sense of humour or realism, though their underlying concerns often mirrored those of their female peers. One 22 year old man wrote:


“It was a long time ago… before the machines [sic.] rised against us.”


This mock-dystopian humour hints at scepticism toward generative AI fears, but it does not dismiss them entirely. Across gender, students describe the same trade-off: less time and effort, but also less certainty, less pride, and fewer opportunities to challenge themselves.


A generation reflects on a trade


The idea of a Faustian bargain, which is a deal that offers power and ease in exchange for something deeper, is not just theoretical in Gen Z’s world. They feel and live through it.


They value the freedom that comes from having quick answers and smoother workflows. But they miss the feeling of owning their work, trusting their sources, and knowing that effort brought its own rewards.


In their own words:


“Yes, things took longer. But they were ours. Our ideas. Our effort.”


“We used to celebrate our hard efforts.”


“Is it really better this way?”


As generative AI becomes embedded in everyday tasks, there are risks in assuming all young people welcome it without question. While generative AI offers efficiency, Gen Z users are not seduced by speed alone. They are critically weighing what is gained and what is lost.


Future research could explore whether these reflections change as users age, gain more agency, or move into the workforce. Will their caution fade with familiarity? Or will their desire for human connection, originality, and trust only deepen with time?


What seems clear is this: Gen Z is not blindly embracing generative AI. They are asking whether the deal they have made is worth the price. And they are asking the right questions.


The opportunity for brands and employers


If young people are wrestling with this inner tension, there is a role for brands, educators, and employers to help ease that burden. Can we create technologies, services, or experiences that uphold effort, reward originality, and honour real human input? Can we support young people’s desire for authenticity, even as we introduce new tools that reshape how we work and learn?


Helping Gen Z navigate these moral questions will not just earn their trust. It will build a future where progress is not made at the expense of meaning.