Rise of Artificial Identity in the Age of Generative A

Sarat Chakravarthi is the founder and CEO of LeadYouth.

The conversation around artificial intelligence is everywhere—boardrooms, classrooms, dinner tables. And while much of it focuses on what AI can do, I find myself asking a different question: What is AI doing to us? More specifically, what is it doing to our kids?

I work with youth every day. I mentor them, hire them and build tools for them. And lately, I’ve been watching something unsettling unfold, something I call “artificial identity.” It’s a quiet shift, but a powerful one. Our kids are learning to present themselves using AI-generated polish. Portfolios, essays and résumés are crafted to perfection but lack the human essence that true growth demands—curiosity, ownership and struggle—making the interview process more important than ever.

When The Portfolio Doesn’t Match The Person

Imagine a young adult applying for their first job or internship. Their résumé is flawless. Their portfolio includes beautifully designed projects, sharp messaging and just the right buzzwords to suggest creativity and innovation. On the surface, they are the perfect fit.

But once the work begins, something doesn’t add up. They don’t ask clarifying questions. They struggle to generate ideas independently. They complete tasks, but only by mimicking what they’ve been given, without curiosity, initiative or a sense of ownership.

This hypothetical isn’t far-fetched. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common.

And that’s what concerns me most.

We’re entering an era where it’s easy to appear competent without actually developing competence. When young people rely heavily on AI to create polished outputs, we risk sidelining the very skills, like critical thinking, emotional intelligence and authentic engagement and purpose, that move the world forward. It’s not just about what they can produce; it’s about who they’re becoming in the process.

The Disappearing Struggle

One of the most powerful lessons I teach my students is this: Struggle is part of growth. Leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about choosing to work through the uncertainty. But what happens when AI removes that struggle? What happens when a teenager gets praised for an essay written by ChatGPT? They internalize that praise. They want it again. And soon, they learn to optimize for recognition, not for learning.

If we’re not careful, we’re going to end up with brilliant facades and empty cores. Hollow humans. All the outputs, none of the substance.

Identity Formation In A World Of Shortcuts

Teenagers are in the most formative stage of building their identities. But identity isn’t built by shortcuts. It’s built through a cycle of effort, failure, feedback and reflection. If AI becomes the shortcut for everything from writing essays to designing portfolios, when do our kids actually become themselves?

When a child receives applause for something they didn’t fully create, it distorts their self-concept. They start to believe in the version of themselves that AI helped produce and not in the self they are still becoming.

And that’s not their fault. It’s human nature to want to belong, to be appreciated and to impress others. But when AI makes that too easy, we cheat them out of the real journey of growth.

The Education System Has To Adapt

This isn’t a fear-based argument. I’m not anti-AI—even the app I’m building has AI components. But I am deeply concerned that if we don’t rethink how we integrate these tools, we’ll raise students who are fluent in prompts but not in problem-solving.

We shouldn’t be preparing kids for roles AI already excels at, like answering predefined questions, summarizing content or organizing data. We should be preparing them for what AI can’t do: navigate ambiguity, adapt solutions across cultures or lead a diverse team.

Let’s give students real-world challenges in the classroom (debug a program, fix a flawed marketing strategy, negotiate between two conflicting ideas). These kinds of tasks require emotional intelligence, cultural awareness and critical thinking. If we want them to succeed in task-driven interviews, they need to prevail in those scenarios, without relying on AI.

AI can pass a psychometric test. But it can’t perform in a leadership simulation or persuade a room. It can’t build trust, adapt in real time or learn from failure. Those are human strengths, and that’s where we need to double down in our education system.

Connection Still Comes First

Before any of that, though, we need to return to the basics. Real development starts with connection. There’s a neuroscience-backed truth we often forget: The human brain develops best in response to affection, attention and engagement.

The first few years of a child’s life are foundational. Hugs matter. Reading together matters. Being present matters. These are not “nice to haves”—they are biological necessities. And if we skip those, no amount of tech will make up for what’s missing.

What We Need To Measure

If we truly care about preparing the next generation, we have to expand our definition of success. We should be assessing more than just academic output or polished presentations. We should be testing for humanity.

In college admissions, in hiring, in performance reviews—let’s measure how people communicate, collaborate, persist and lead. Let’s ask: Can you solve a problem without tools? Can you bring people together? Can you navigate complexity with empathy?

And yes, let’s train adults, too. Not just to use AI, but to lead like humans. To model curiosity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking. To be the kinds of leaders our kids can emulate, not just automate.

How To Leverage AI Without Losing Your Edge

AI isn’t the problem, and it’s certainly not going anywhere. When used intentionally, it can be an incredible accelerator. It can free up time, spark new ideas and streamline work. But like any tool, its value depends on how we use it.

The risk is in what we might stop doing because of it. Thinking deeply. Struggling productively. Building real relationships. These are the things that sharpen our instincts, shape our character and define our leadership edge.

Let’s teach the next generation to work with these tools, not hide behind them. To question defaults, think critically and use technology to amplify their authentic voice.

Leaders don’t lose themselves in convenience. They rise by staying curious, connected and courageous. Let’s raise leaders who do the same.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?