Virtual Natives

8Autonomous Agents

We've seen that Virtual Natives have been encouraged from a young age to take action for themselves on digital platforms, and that some of those actions can be financially rewarding for them. Digital platforms also enable VNs to create physical businesses. Fourteen‐year‐old Eva has found that “things that look difficult – like starting my … online jewelry‐making business – actually aren't that hard if you get into it.”¹ Learning early in life that one has agency and can make decisions for oneself is empowering. Eva continues, “I've realized that I can try for one career, but if it doesn't work out, there are always other options, other opportunities.” This is a piece of wisdom that Virtual Natives know far better than many of their elders.

Gen Z is eager to embrace innovation, and has no illusions about the risks involved in embracing truly bold new ideas. A recent survey found that more than 80% of Gen Z respondents agree that “embracing failure on a project will help them to be more innovative,” correctly spotting that fear of failure is one of the great inhibitors of risk‐taking.² In the minds of Virtual Natives, there is no failure, only an opportunity to learn how to do it better the next time if things don't go to plan.

At the same time, the prevalence of gaming among Virtual Natives has conditioned many of them to expect to be able to “level up” in some aspects of life. One Millennial boss found himself telling an impatient VN underling to slow down, ...