Sam Altman: Different Generations Use ChatGPT in Significantly Different Ways, Gen Z Treats It as an "Operating System"

Odaily reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that users of different age groups have significantly different ways of using ChatGPT: older users mostly use it as a "search engine alternative," people aged 20 to 30 are more likely to see it as a "life advisor," while Gen Z treats it as an "operating system." According to Altman, this generation's interaction with AI is "strikingly different," similar to the generational gap seen during the early days of smartphone普及. They often use ChatGPT deeply through complex prompts, file access, and memory functions, and even consult AI before making life decisions. An official report in 2025 shows that over one-third of US users aged 18-24 use ChatGPT. (Fortune)