Grey matters: AI usability for the silver surfer generation

The challenges older adults face when interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are a growing but often overlooked issue. While AI has proliferated in many aspects of daily life, many older adults encounter accessibility barriers such as difficulty parsing and comprehending dense text, differentiating AI-generated from real content, or identifying and avoiding AI-driven scams. These challenges contribute to a widening “digital divide” between generations, which can leave older adults feeling excluded and vulnerable. The purpose of this study is to understand these barriers in greater depth to promote the development of solutions to educate and empower older adults to use AI effectively. This research is particularly interesting because it highlights the lack of consultation with older adults in the development of AI technologies. By focusing on their lived experiences, perceptions, and strategies, this study seeks to explore ways to make AI tools more accessible, user-friendly, and empowering for this demographic. This creates opportunities to improve the quality of life for aging populations while fostering stronger connections between researchers and the community. The study intends to accomplish several key objectives: identifying the barriers older adults face when using AI, understanding their trust and perceptions of these technologies, and developing educational tools to enhance their confidence and safety. Ultimately, these findings will contribute to designing AI systems that are inclusive and supportive of the needs of older adults, ensuring they can benefit from technological advancements by bridging the digital divide.