Seniors Excluded From AI Safety Discussions

Older adults are largely being excluded from essential conversations and educational initiatives surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) safety, a critical oversight that leaves this demographic vulnerable to AI-driven risks such as scams, misinformation, and deepfakes. This exclusion stems from a focus on traditional educational settings like schools and workplaces, inadvertently omitting seniors who are no longer part of these environments. Gretchen Terry-Leonard, cofounder and chief strategy and impact officer at the Center for Deeply Human Leadership, a nonprofit researching AI's impact on human judgment, stated that this omission is "mostly by omission rather than intention." However, the consequence is that an entire generation is left unprepared to navigate the increasingly AI-integrated digital world.

Many seniors may not recognize AI's presence in their daily digital interactions, mistaking tools like predictive text or virtual assistants for standard software features rather than AI applications. Brittne Kakulla, a senior research adviser in consumer insights for AARP Research, noted that "They may not always recognize it as AI or know how to evaluate what it’s telling them." This lack of awareness hinders their ability to critically assess information provided by AI systems. The Pew Research Center reported in June that 23% of adults aged 65 and older use AI chatbots, a figure that has nearly doubled from 12% in 2024. Despite this increase, their adoption rate remains significantly lower than that of younger demographics, with only 42% of 50- to 64-year-olds and 66% of 18- to 29-year-olds using these tools. This disparity highlights a substantial gap in AI literacy and engagement among the senior population.

When considering how older adults wish to leverage AI, health-related applications emerge as the primary interest. Kakulla indicated that "When we look at what older adults actually want AI to do for them, the top use case is health." This suggests a significant unmet need and potential for AI to assist seniors in managing their well-being, provided they are equipped with the knowledge to use these tools safely and effectively. The current exclusion from AI safety discussions means that this interest in health applications, and indeed any AI application, is pursued without adequate understanding of the associated risks. The Center for Deeply Human Leadership's research underscores the importance of human judgment in the age of AI, a skill that requires informed understanding and critical evaluation, which seniors are currently not receiving in sufficient measure regarding AI technologies. The implications of this gap extend to their financial security, personal safety, and overall ability to participate fully in a society where AI is becoming ubiquitous. Addressing this omission is crucial to ensure equitable access to AI's benefits and protection from its potential harms for all age groups.