Bethany Crystal
One interesting thing that's starting to happen to me right now is that my prolific use of AI technology is bleeding across all generations in a way unlike any other tech trend I've ever been a part of.
This weekend, I co-created characters and stories with AI alongside and young children. Then, next week, I'm meeting retirees on my block to talk about how we can use ChatGPT and AI 101 to streamline our work as organizers. In my work on MuseKat, I'm actively collaborating with several intern groups (both high school and college level).
Needless to say, from professional peers to fellow parents and even the grandparent collective, the range of reach is unprecedented. In that, there is opportunity.
Every time I talk with someone else about AI, I learn something new.
I improve the way I introduce key concepts to divergent audience
I recognize what barriers to adoption still exist among different groups
I observe creative new possibilities of AI applications that extend beyond my own domain
I internalize core existential questions that I might overlook on my own
I learn about new perspectives unlike my own, broadening my own world view
With something as big and far-reaching as AI, I think it's actually a good thing to see so many of these cross-network collisions taking place. After all, in the absence of a clear path forward, looking to your trusted network to help inform and make decisions is invaluable. But it's not always that easy to connect with cross-generational groups. I'd like to see that change.
A few months ago, I mused about some possibilities for the next-gen creative, collaborative space, one that might integrate cross-pollination across divergent groups. These spaces of co-creation introduce powerful ways to collaborate in new types of work and learning environments.
Here are three more ideas for how a city like NYC might design structures to better facilitate cross-generational collaboration and community.
Repurpose empty storefront as pop-up community spaces. A dream that I've had on my block association for some time is to convert (even if only temporarily) one of the many abandoned storefronts on my block into a pop-up community space. Imagine a place that could serve as a mini-commercial hub or reinvention of the general store concept. Residents could display their own art on the walls; vendors could have pop-ups; and a few tables or work spaces with WiFi. Better yet if you could facilitate some group activities or workshops, or family-friendly activities. The benefit of this is two-fold: You temporarily repurpose some spaces, and you also provide an important third space for gathering.
Invite intentional interactions at playgrounds and schools. With more than 2,000 playgrounds in NYC, playgrounds represent a watering hole opportunity to connect and communicate with large groups. But the information about what happens in a local community is easy to miss. For instance, last weekend I noticed three different kids on my block walking with their parents to a local elementary school; turns out there was a big talent show from their students. That would have been the kind of thing I'd loved to bring my own kids to, but since I don't (yet) have a kindergarten-aged child, it missed my radar. With a few QR codes positioned on signs, or maybe even a geo-targeted app, we could push hyper-local news updates to frequent playground visitors about events at local school groups or meetups.
Actually incentivize people to shop local. With mobile payments more accessible than ever, I'm surprised we haven't seen more dynamic pricing models. Just as the "tap to pay" MetroCard program is able to cap the price of your weekly fees at $34, I wonder how we might extend this concept further. For instance, local bodegas, diners, bars, and boutiques could introduce automatic "tap to pay" criteria for recurring visits. Over time, this system would create an environment where you’re subconsciously inclined to return to your favorite local businesses, knowing that you’ll be rewarded without needing to do anything extra. Just like how the MetroCard incentivizes frequent subway use, the system would gently push people to keep shopping at their usual spots. By automatically rewarding visits, it could create a habit of shopping locally while fostering connections with neighbors at familiar spots like coffee shops and bookstores.
This mass moment of collective upskilling invites a major opportunity to connect across generations. But we need a little help to make this into a more regular habit for urbanites like me.
Whether it’s reimagining empty storefronts, incentivizing local shopping, or using playgrounds as community hubs, the possibilities are endless. By designing spaces that encourage these connections, we can build neighborhoods where creativity, connection, and growth happen naturally—one conversation at a time.
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