Helping older adults use AI in everyday life

AI should be useful and accessible to everyone. That means making sure people of every age have the support they need to use these tools to help make everyday life easier. For older adults, that can mean getting help planning a trip, understanding a confusing letter or bill, spotting a possible scam, pursuing a new hobby, or staying connected with family and loved ones.

Today, OpenAI Academy, in collaboration with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP is hosting the Older Adults AI Skills Jam: a free, in-person learning experience designed to help older adults use ChatGPT confidently and safely. The Jam is part of a multi-year effort OpenAI launched with OATS to help older adults build practical AI skills and stay safe online through its flagship program, Senior Planet.

Data shows that older adults are increasingly using ChatGPT for practical guidance, finding information, and writing. In the U.S., the share of messages associated with people 55+ grew from 6% to nearly 10% in a year.

Online safety is a core part of the program. Part of the workshop includes helping older adults spot scams and use ChatGPT as an additional layer of scrutiny and prevention. It walks through common warning signs, including urgent language, secrecy, and suspicious links, and a simple rule: pause, think, and ask. Tens of millions of times a week, people ask ChatGPT for help evaluating suspicious messages, emails, and websites. This education complements OpenAI’s broader work to prevent, detect, and disrupt fraud and scams.

The Older Adults AI Skills Jam will take place in 10 communities across the country and in partnership with local organizations supporting older adults. We’re proud to collaborate with these organizations and support their communities:

• Senior Planet in Denver, Colorado

• Senior Planet in Miami, Florida

• Senior Planet in San Antonio, Texas

• Senior Planet in Montgomery County, Maryland

• Senior Planet in Queens, New York

• The Mirowitz Center in St. Louis, Missouri

• Senior Community Services in Twin Cities, Minnesota

• The Nashville Public Library and FiftyForward in Nashville, Tennessee

• Fresno EOC in Fresno, California

• LEARN Idaho in Boise, Idaho

The AI Skills Jam is part of OpenAI Academy’s broader work to make AI literacy practical and accessible to everyone. It builds on previous events we’ve hosted with nonprofits, small businesses, and K–12 educators.

We are grateful to OATS, our local partners, and the participants joining us across the country. Their questions, ideas, and experiences will help shape future learning resources for older adults to ensure the benefits of this technology reach everyone.