## Older Americans are Using AI – and Here’s What They Think
Artificial intelligence is a lively topic of conversation in schools and workplaces, which could lead you to believe that only younger peopel use it. Though, older Americans are also using AI. This raises the questions of what they’re doing with the technology and what they think of it.I’m a researcher who studies older age, disability, and technology use.I partnered with the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging to survey nearly 3,000 Americans over the age of 50. We asked them whether and how they use AI and what concerns they have about using it.
Of the older people we surveyed, 55% responded that they had used some type of AI technology that they can speak to, like Amazon’s Alexa voice assistantor type to, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot. Voice assistants were overwhelmingly more popular than text chatbots: Half of them reported using a voice assistant within the past year, compared to one in four who used a chatbot.
## Popular, among some
Independent living continues to be a major goal of older Americans as they either do not want to or are unable to afford to live in long-term care communities, and AI may be a tool to support this goal. Our findings show that older adults who use AI in their homes find it helpful for living independently and safely.
They mostly used these technologies for entertainment or searching for details, but some of their responses show more creative uses, such as generating text, creating images, or planning vacations.
Nearly one in three older adults reported using AI-powered home security devices, including doorbells, outdoor cameras, and alarm systems. Nearly all of those people-96%-felt safer using them.
While there has been some concern about privacy when using cameras indoors to monitor older people, cameras aimed outdoors seem to provide a sense of security for those who may be aging in their homes alone or without family nearby.of the 35% of older adults who reported using AI-powered home security systems, 96% said they were beneficial.
However, when we dove into which older adults are using AI, we saw that demographics matter.Specifically, those in better health, with more education, and higher incomes were more likely to have used AI-powered voice assistants and home security devices in the past year. This pattern seems to follow adoption trends of other technologies such as smartphones.
Older Adults embrace AI,But Need Tools to Understand risks
A recent study reveals that older Americans are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools,but a meaningful majority express a desire for greater understanding of the associated risks. The findings underscore the need for improved AI literacy and obvious labeling of AI-generated content, notably as policy discussions shift regarding AI regulation.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, found that nine in ten older adults want to know when information they encounter has been created by AI.This desire aligns with emerging efforts to label AI-generated content, such as the AI snippets now appearing in Google Search results.
However, the need for clarity extends beyond search engines. While several states, including Michigan, have begun implementing policies requiring disclosures for AI-generated content in political advertising, nearly 80% of older adults surveyed expressed a desire to learn more about AI risks in all contexts – including non-political advertising and social media.This call for education comes at a critical juncture. The U.S. government is currently considering revisions to its AI policies, with a recent executive order proposing to remove language focused on mitigating risks like discrimination and misinformation.
“Overtrust and mistrust of AI could be addressed with better training tools and policies to make risks more visible,” explains Robin Brewer, associate professor of information at the University of Michigan.
Despite the concerns, the study also highlights the potential benefits of AI for healthy aging. However, realizing this potential requires proactive measures to ensure older adults can confidently and safely navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.
Source: The Conversation.