In every time block, there was at least one session that directly addressed age tech, AI, wearables, and innovation. A recurring theme among the panels was that older people want to use AI, but many don’t know what options are available. AARP has found that tech use has surged among older people in the US in recent years, with 90% owning a smartphone and 30% using AI. While many are still hesitant about using new tech, plenty are interested but don’t yet know how to apply the tech to their lives.
Many panels, such as “Bridging the Gap: Addressing Ageism in Age Tech,” highlighted gaps in AI training data that are often skewed by stereotypes, surveillance concerns, and designs driven by what developers sometimes incorrectly think older people want.
Panelists across the conference argued that age-inclusive design should integrate autonomy, flexibility, and an accurate assessment of older people’s needs. For instance, some robotics technology, like ElliQ, was developed with insights from older people, such as serving as a companion that encourages human interaction.