What will define the newly minted Gen Beta? We asked a generational expert for seven predictions.
Welcome, Gen Beta! Here’s What Will Make This Brand-New Generation Unique
Published on Jan. 09, 2025
“Each generation is shaped by a unique combination of macro events, trends and the generations that come before them, especially the generation just previous to them,” says Jason Dorsey, a generational researcher and the president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, a company that researches generational mindsets.
I can see what he means. As a high school teacher and parent of teens, I’ve got a front-row view of Generation Beta’s older siblings—Gen Alpha—and the tech-savvy, emotionally aware world they’re navigating. So I’m not surprised that this emerging cohort is already shaping up to be something special. After all, these are the kids who will grow up knowing a world where technology isn’t just a tool but a constant companion. For them, climate change, artificial intelligence and space exploration aren’t just dinner-table thought experiments but a daily reality.
I spoke with Dorsey about what lies ahead for Generation Beta. His insights? Equal parts fascinating and a little terrifying. But don’t worry—this isn’t a doom-and-gloom forecast. Read on to explore what makes these kids so unique and how we can prepare for the world they’ll help build.
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What is Generation Beta?
Generation Beta refers to people born beginning in 2025. We don’t yet know the end date for this generation, nor how many years it will encompass. “An interesting thing about generations is that they keep getting shorter as the pace of technology accelerates. The macro events that define a generation are happening closer together,” explains Dorsey, who has authored many papers and books about generational trends, including Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business. “How many years in a generation is hotly debated.”
That said, Gen Beta will likely go until around 2039, give or take a few years, according to McCrindle, a data research and analysis company. It expects Gen Beta to represent up to 16% of the population by 2035.
This group of children will be the first generation born entirely after the pandemic, growing up in a world reshaped by remote work, virtual education and a constantly changing digital landscape, Dorsey says.
The name, Beta, signals this transition into a new phase of humanity. The previous generation was the first one born entirely in the new millennium, earning it the Generation Alpha moniker—alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, after all. Beta is the second letter, which is why it was assigned to the next generation, much like the next version of software. But don’t let the name fool you—these kids will likely be leading “alpha” changes in how we live, work and interact.
What sets Generation Beta apart?
Gen Beta is the second cohort to be born entirely in the 21st century, which shapes everything about their worldview, from their expectations of convenience to their global politics. So what makes Gen Beta stand out from every other generation? Here’s a look at seven key traits, based on the macro events that Dorsey predicts will likely define their identity.
They will be AI natives
Gen Beta will be the first to grow up with generative AI that’s not just a tool but a default part of their lives. “We’re already seeing this shift in our data,” Dorsey says. “Gen Alpha is more likely to type a question or search into ChatGPT than Google.”
For their younger sibs, tools like ChatGPT and AI-driven apps will be seen as a normal part of the environment around them. In fact, artificial intelligence could even act as a first teacher, entertainer or friend.
“They won’t talk about AI the way we do, as if it’s something separate from us. AI will just be a part of everything,” he says. “It’s like how most adults today won’t say ‘http://www” when talking about a place on the internet. The internet is woven into our daily existence. We don’t have to explicitly say it anymore.”
They will be the most connected generation yet
While Gen Z and some millennials grew up with smartphones, Gen Beta will likely live in a world of wearable tech, augmented reality and possibly even brain-computer interfaces. Their “digital playground” will be larger and more immersive than ever before, and their social interactions may take place as much in virtual worlds as in physical ones.
Social media may be their main source of getting news. We older folks can’t even fathom the ways this will take shape, Dorsey says. “Technology is only ‘new’ if you remember the way it was before,” he adds.
They will be all about instant gratification
From fully autonomous cars to nearly immediate drone deliveries (both possible in the next decade, by the way), Gen Beta will be used to—and likely insist on—having their needs met right away, Dorsey says. We’ll see this play out in culture, workplaces, shopping, entertainment and even politics. As he points out, they’ll soon be the ones electing the leaders of tomorrow.
They will be climate warriors from day one
Unlike earlier generations that were introduced to climate issues later in life—and even then, more as theories than realities—Gen Beta will inherit a world already full of environmental challenges. “Simply put, they won’t remember a time when it wasn’t a crisis,” Dorsey says.
While this will present unique problems for them, it will give them opportunities for novel solutions. They may have to move more, experience more natural disasters and see greater interruptions in the supply chain, but they’ll also be taught about sustainability from preschool and could be the first generation to see renewable energy as the norm, not the exception.
They will have very different educational experiences—from us and one another
“We’re already seeing this with Gen Alpha, with their movement toward personalized education,” Dorsey says. With AI, gamification, on-the-job training and online school becoming mainstream, traditional classrooms will be something they read about in history books.
This presents a challenge to ensure that every child has the resources needed to take advantage of these opportunities. But they will likely be able to learn at a pace and style tailored specifically to them. Standardized testing? Never heard of her.
They will work with and take care of more generations than any previous group
It’s likely Gen Beta will live past 2100, and as lifespans increase in general, this means they will spend more time in the workplace with more generations—including millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha. “They will know more elders, which can be a huge benefit, but this will also mean they’ll be caring for more aging generations than any previous cohort,” Dorsey says.
They will have less trust in the government and authority
This is a tricky one to analyze, Dorsey says, adding that Gen Alpha shows an awareness of the tension surrounding politics but not a knowledge of the issues (yet). But one thing that researchers and parents (including myself) are hearing a lot from the younger set is a serious distrust of governmental programs and corporations.
“The American dream is changing. When you believe you won’t retire, get social security, own a home or work for a single employer—rewards that were within reach for previous generations—then it changes the way you make all your big life decisions,” Dorsey says. “However, they’ll also have a broader definition of fairness, inclusion and work-life balance. After all, if you think you’ll never retire, then you definitely want every Friday off!”
What other generations are there?
“Generational labels should never be used for judgment—every generation is valuable,” Dorsey says. “Rather, we should see it as a clue to help create understanding between the groups.” Here’s a quick rundown of the currently living generations:
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Silent Generation (1928–1945): Grew up during World War II and the early Cold War
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Baby Boomers (1946–1964): Defined by post-war prosperity and cultural shifts
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Generation X (1965–1980): The latchkey kids, known for their independence and adaptability
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Millennials (1981–1996): The first tech-savvy generation, shaped by the rise of the internet
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Generation Z (1997–2012): Digital natives with a strong focus on social justice and inclusivity
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Generation Alpha (2013–2024): The first generation born entirely in the 21st century, growing up in a hyperdigital and AI world
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Generation Beta (2025–2039): The next frontier, born into a world of AI, climate action and technological marvels
You can also have subgroups within individual generations, Dorsey adds. Perhaps most famous is the one I fall into (and identify with the most): the Xennials. This microgeneration covers just five years, from the youngest Gen X to the oldest millennials (about 1977 to 1983), but represents the very unique group of kids who grew up without the internet but saw its widespread use during our young adult years.
Generation Beta represents more than just the next branch in our genealogical tree. These newborns and yet-to-be-borns will redefine how we think about work, relationships, education and the planet. Think of them as the heroes in the story of the next few decades, living in a world we’re only beginning to imagine. So buckle up, parents, teachers and curious observers: The road ahead is going to be one wild (and Beta-tested) ride.
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Sources:
- Jason Dorsey, generational researcher, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics and author of Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business; phone interview, Jan. 8, 2025
- McCrindle: “Welcome to Gen Beta”
