Older adults attended public AI classes, arriving prepared and eager to learn practical uses like workplace tasks and social interactions. Many individuals aged 60 and over reported existing exposure to AI and specific goals such as applying AI at work or competing with younger relatives on tools like ChatGPT. Interviews with people working into their 80s showed uses ranging from maintaining client lists to seeking coding help and planning travel, alongside mixed attitudes from skepticism to enthusiasm. A 2024 Generation survey found hiring managers prefer younger candidates for AI-heavy roles, with only 7% likely to hire applicants 65 and older.
Amid the clanging sounds of construction from outside, some of New York City's most ambitious AI adopters aged 60 and over made their way into a 10:15 a.m. class, equipped with notepads and the occasional walker. The Tuesday Intro to Chatting with AI class run by Senior Planet, an AARP subsidiary, had about 20 people. Most had at least some exposure to AI. Some came to learn how to apply AI at their jobs. Others wanted to go neck-and-neck with their grandchildren on ChatGPT.
In interviews for my series on people working into their 80s, dozens said they use AI at work or home, whether for maintaining client lists, seeking coding advice, or planning a vacation to Mexico. While a few skeptics felt it was a disease to society, many expressed enthusiasm for how they could get ahead in their careers or social circles. It's a sentiment that challenges many of the commonly held stereotypes about older Americans not embracing technology.
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