Why Typing Practice in the AI Era? Gen Z Is Learning Keyboards Again [The World According to Gen Z]

Generation Z, Accustomed to Touchscreens
Returns to Keyboard as AI Use Grows
Practicing Typing to Give Detailed Instructions to AI

Editor's NoteThe so-called Generation Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is attracting attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [The World According to Gen Z], we explore the lives and values of Generation Z worldwide and examine how they are transforming society.

Generation Z, often called "digital natives," is now immersing itself in keyboard typing practice. For those accustomed to touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets, the keyboard had been a somewhat unfamiliar tool. However, an increasing number of people are practicing typing to deliver their thoughts to artificial intelligence (AI) more quickly and accurately.

"As the World Changes Faster, We Need to Type Faster"

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On September 27 (local time), Business Insider reported that as the use of AI rises, typing skills are once again becoming important among young professionals and students.

Generation Z is a cohort that has mainly entered text using smartphones and tablets. They often lacked systematic opportunities to learn computer keyboards, and many have become accustomed to "hunt-and-peck" typing with just two fingers. However, the increased use of generative AI in work and academics is changing the situation. To get the desired results from AI, prompts must be entered in a specific and accurate way, and sometimes typing directly can be more efficient than giving long voice instructions.

In fact, Julia Andrusciak (26) started practicing on the keyboard in college because of her slow typing speed. She now works in an AI-related field and still uses voice input when composing lengthy prompts. Still, she is conscious of how it might look if she talks to herself in the office. She said, "As the world changes faster, we need to type faster as well," though she also expressed concern about excessive dependence on AI.

Andrey Gerasimov (23), who graduated with a degree in computer engineering, started practicing typing while chatting in games and can now type 170 words per minute.He says that having fast typing skills also helps with writing AI prompts. This is because he can immediately input his thoughts and ideas, enabling him to communicate his intentions to AI more specifically.

"Typing Calms the Mind"

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The need for typing education for the younger generation less familiar with keyboards is also growing. Andreas Pranzaci (36), an IT teacher in Vienna, Austria, also said that his students' keyboard skills have recently become weaker compared to previous generations. Many of his students, who are used to smartphones, are actually less adept at using keyboards. Pranzaci is currently teaching students who use the "hunt-and-peck" method the basics of proper typing.

He observed that when students focus on a three-minute typing test, the practice can feel almost like meditation. Pranzaci explained, "The practice itself can be quite meditative," and added, "When you focus on the text in front of you and enter it letter by letter, your mind calms down a bit."

Practicing typing goes beyond simply learning how to use a keyboard; it can also be helpful for actual studies and work. Tarun Krishnamurthy (18), a sophomore at San Diego State University, said he has been practicing typing since middle school and that this helps him keep up with fast-paced lectures. He said, "I consider myself lucky that I can follow along with the lectures," noting, "Other students may have difficulty because they have to look at the keyboard rather than the professor."

This typing proficiency can also be useful in the workplace. Krishnamurthy pointed out that a slow typing speed can be a factor that delays work and explained that being able to type quickly without looking at the keyboard can be an important asset in the age of AI. He stated that in an environment where efficiency is paramount, "typing speed can become a major obstacle."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.