Over the Edge

Some members of Gen Z, who grew up on smartphones rather than keyboards, are teaching themselves typing skills to write AI prompts more effectively and gain an edge in the job market. Educators and career coaches note that fast, accurate typing can improve productivity with tools like ChatGPT and remains a basic workplace expectation, prompting young workers to close the gap themselves.

China's gifted education programmes are increasingly producing young tech entrepreneurs, with students from elite schools moving into startups at earlier ages. The trend highlights how intensive STEM training and early identification of talented students are shaping a new generation of founders, raising discussion about whether such early specialisation gives China a competitive edge in technology innovation.