Thoughts on AIGC Acting in Cross-cultural Communication in Different Environments from the Perspective of Generation Z

The development speed of generative artificial intelligence is altering how cross-cultural communication is carried out. Generation Z are both digital natives and AI natives, and they are now leading the changes in this field. This paper takes the digital media behaviour of Generation Z as its observation object and investigates how AIGC functions in cross-cultural communication through three aspects: the enhancement of cultural translation efficiency, the elimination of cultural discount by digital memes, and the formation of decentralized communication networks. At the same time, the participation of AIGC in cultural production also gives rise to several serious problems: the algorithmic recommendation logic reduces the space for cultural diversity; the algorithmic knowledge of Generation Z has not been converted into corresponding critical actions; and platform power has redefined the active boundaries of young cultural actors. AIGC is an efficient tool and a structural change in cross-cultural communication, according to the study. Its effectiveness relies on the joint construction of technological independence and the critical consciousness of young people, rather than being a problem of technical application alone.