Artificial intelligence (AI) has generated both enthusiasm and concern among older adults. Research from AARP shows that while 92 percent of seniors have heard of generative AI, only 30 percent say they are excited about its potential. As AI is increasingly encountered in daily life, it’s important that seniors understand the risks and benefits associated with this powerful new technology.
OATS recently published AI for Older Adults, a guide to help seniors understand the implications of AI for their lives. Presented in a reader-friendly question and answer format, the guide provides a panoramic view of AI and the ways it is changing many fields of human endeavor and makes clear that AI is now a part of our everyday lives. It explores both the current state of AI technology in areas of importance to older adults and the potential impact of AI tools that are evolving with lightning speed.
The guide offers a deep dive into the dangers and benefits of AI related to three main areas of impact for seniors: health and wellness, finance, and lifestyle, including learning, creativity and community.
Health and Wellness: In terms of health, AI-powered devices can help older adults live healthier, more independent lives and better manage physical, mental, and emotional health issues. AI can create personalized fitness and diet plans, improve health monitoring and medication management, and give patients and caregivers early warning about potential health risks.
Finance: AI can empower older adults to manage their finances with budgeting and money-saving tools. Many popular personal finance apps now include “robo assistants” to provide insights into spending, saving and investments. Seniors are acutely aware of the potential for fraud and scams that use AI to mimic voices and images – and 75 percent of seniors report being targeted for cybercrime. Even as AI enables these types of crimes, AI tools can be deployed to recognize and protect against these types of cybercrimes as well.
Lifestyle: AI can help seniors get in touch with and express their creative side by making it easier to create and store images, stories, and videos. Virtual tutors and online learning apps can make learning more engaging and fun. Online learning tools that incorporate text-to-speech, closed captioning, translation, and other features can be especially beneficial to seniors who may have to overcome physical or cognitive limitations.
The guide posits where AI is heading and cites some startling predictions. AI researchers from the University of Oxford predict that up to 40 percent of household chores — primarily housework like cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry — will be automated within the next 10 years.
The guide is the latest addition to the growing OATS library of AI resources for older adults, which includes a Senior Planet AI resource page, and a series of seven classes designed to help older adults understand and engage with AI.
Click here to read the guide, or visit seniorplanet.org/ai-guide.