The current generation of young people, known as Generation Z, of which I have a representative in my home, is known for its dependence on technology for questioning everything and seeking faster and easier ways to solve problems and acquire knowledge.

Of course, the importance of education is unquestionable. However, there are examples of people who have earned money without completing college, and working in corporations is often likened to a "rat race," and so on.

Knowledge has always been a significant source of power. For those who realized this early on, knowledge brought numerous benefits and pleasures, both material and immaterial. On the other hand, for those who did not understand or fully grasp the importance of knowledge and tried to solve many things with ignorance, the consequences could be significant and often catastrophic over time.

In the economic or business field, various and numerous mistakes were made due to ignorance, jobs were lost, losses were incurred, failures occurred, and a whole series of other adverse effects. We have many examples of this in Serbia.

In an era of rapid and dynamic change, the question of knowledge becomes increasingly important. On the one hand, the level of knowledge and the amount of information and data that need to be analyzed and systematized are increasing yearly. This leads to many innovations, discoveries, and what can be described as general scientific and technological revolutions.

On the other hand, we are inundated with various information and disinformation, technological "wonders" that allow us to quickly inform ourselves about many events, creating the illusion that we possess knowledge.

Without a doubt, the world we live in requires continuous knowledge innovation. However, what is noticeable is that the methods and ways of acquiring knowledge are changing.

Today, reading books is not very popular. Why would anyone do that? Why would someone bother and waste precious time? It is enough to find suitable internet sources and be informed about many things in a few pages. For example, summarizing a book or a classic novel that initially has hundreds of pages, instead of reading it for ten or more days, can be condensed and understood in half an hour or an hour. Fast, efficient, and effective. Is that actual knowledge?

Today, there is a growing trend, especially among young people, of not acquiring real systematic, analytical, and specific knowledge but merely acquainting themselves or, even worse, recognizing certain phenomena or terms.

It is enough to search for what interests us on a mobile phone, tablet, or computer and get basic information in a few minutes. ChatGPT will provide information on the topic, and it could write a better text on this subject than I can. It is often enough to go to a social media platform, forum, or something similar, and you already "know" what's happening.

This is not a significant problem for areas where we need informational knowledge not required for in-depth job performance. Complications can arise when the problems we face become more complex, require a high level of expertise, professionalism, interdisciplinary and analytical thinking in solving them, and we have a wrong, so to speak, "quick" approach to acquiring only informative knowledge.

Is there bread without a hoe? Is there knowledge without learning? Can we acquire the necessary knowledge for successful business, work, and life in the modern age of rapid changes, technological revolutions, and short forms?

These are just some of the many questions that can be raised when discussing contemporary trends in education. Undoubtedly, traditional learning systems with "candle and book" are outdated. Modern information and telecommunication technology allow us to learn much faster, better, more qualitatively, and more efficiently.

It allows us to access relevant literature sources in books, articles, expert discussions, various research and more easily and quickly.

There are many viral and easily accessible electronic education platforms. A new technological field is emerging that combines modern technology and education and is popularly called educational technology or Ed-Tech.

Do today's generations learn less? I couldn't say that today's generations know less. This question should not be generalized in any way. It all depends on the individual, upbringing, attitude, and approach to learning. What is definite is that the forms of learning are changing. Teachers play a significant role from primary school to high school and college. Their role is to make children, future students, and experts love learning so it is not burdensome or tedious but joyful.

Many people think that young people are superficial and want quick and easy earnings. But didn't we have such individuals in every generation and at all times?

Remember our society in elementary and high school, and you will remember someone like that. The desire for quick earnings without investing in oneself and one's education is characteristic of all times and all generations.

In recent years, many young people have been dazzled by a significant innovation in finance - cryptocurrencies and NFTs. In just a few years, there have been many of these innovations about which very little was known objectively, especially regarding how they are created (often through blockchain) and their business models.

The prices of some cryptocurrencies, especially NFTs, have skyrocketed almost daily, month to month, and there were more and more "crypto enthusiasts" who began to make significant profits. Of course, thinking that this would last forever, many got carried away and invested large sums without possessing even the most basic knowledge in the field of finance.

Those who lacked sufficient knowledge and wisdom paid a high price, especially when greater regulation in this area began, and many fraudulent schemes were exposed.

Therefore, do not rely too much on quick and easy (instant) sources of information; instead, make a concerted effort to thoroughly, systematically, and analytically research everything you engage in.

Without a doubt, knowledge will continue to be power in the hands of the intelligent.

Even though technology increasingly plays a role in acquiring knowledge in big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, as well as the emergence of Ed-Tech, the role of humans will always remain dominant. So believe in yourself, believe in knowledge, and love to learn. Only in this way can you be successful in what you do.