AI is a hot topic of discussion among nearly all demographics. However, it might seem that only young, socially active individuals are utilizing it.
Surprisingly, older Americans are using it too. Researchers from the University of Michigan were curious how older Americans are engaging with these technologies, what they think, and whether they trust them.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
A team of scientists led by Robin Brewer, who studies technology use among seniors, surveyed about 3,000 older Americans. The researchers were primarily interested in whether respondents used artificial intelligence, for what purposes, and what concerns they had.
Fifty-five percent of participants reported that they had already used AI technologies, specifically Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa and OpenAI’s conversational AI.
Voice assistants proved to be significantly more popular than text-based chatbots. Half of the participants reported using a voice assistant in the past year, while only one in four mentioned using a chatbot.
How Are Older Americans Using AI?
Living independently is a reality for many older Americans. Many do not want to live in nursing homes or cannot afford to. Thus, AI becomes an essential tool, helping them organize a comfortable, safe life and combat feelings of loneliness.
Participants reported using these tools primarily for entertainment or information-seeking. Some turned to AI for more creative tasks, such as generating text, images, or planning vacations.
Nearly one in three participants mentioned using AI-based home security devices, such as doorbells, outdoor cameras, and alarm systems. Ninety-six percent of these respondents said the devices made them feel more secure, according to Science Alert.
The team also found that individuals with better health, higher education levels, and greater income were more likely to use voice assistants and AI-based home security devices.
Should We Trust AI?
Opinions among respondents about trusting AI-generated content were divided. Fifty-four percent expressed trust, while 46 percent were skeptical. Those who trusted AI were more likely to have used some form of technology in the past year.
Only half of respondents felt confident they could spot inaccurate or fake AI-generated content, and those were mostly the more educated participants.
Meanwhile, older adults with lower physical and mental health were less likely to trust AI-generated content.
The study’s findings highlight the need to improve technology literacy among seniors when it comes to artificial intelligence. Overall, researchers concluded that AI can contribute to healthier, more independent living.
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