Companies and academia that consider that those from the generation Baby Boomers (60-85 years old) not being interested in adopting artificial intelligence risks marginalizing an important demographic segment from a social inclusion perspective and thus missing an economic opportunity.
EY Ripples and the Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) organization within the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) conducted a survey of 2,515 individuals aged 60 to 85 from 16 countries. Titled Understanding Older Generations’ Adoption of AI, The study presents a nuanced picture that questions common perceptions regarding the relationship between older adults and technology.
The generational digital divide Baby Boomers
According to the study Offline and Overlooked 2025, conducted by Age UK, over a third of people in Great Britain aged over 65 lack basic internet skills, with many unable to perform elementary operations such as setting up a Wi-Fi network or managing passwords. New EY research showed that when it came to AI familiarity, 24% of respondents from the younger generation Baby Boomers se declară destul de familiarizați sau foarte familiarizați și, un aspect încurajator, 38% spun că învață în mod activ despre această tehnologie prin intermediul resurselor online, al materialelor video educaționale și al rețelelor sociale. Doar 15% au declarat că nu sunt deloc interesați să învețe despre inteligența artificială, ceea ce sugerează existența unui interes real pentru adoptare și educație.
Gillian Hinde, EY Global Corporate Responsibility Leader, said: „The EY organization is dedicated to closing the digital divide by developing inclusive AI education programs that enable older adults to interact with technology seamlessly. To harness the potential of this important demographic in the AI era, it is essential that we act to ensure no one is left behind.”.
AI usage and literacy levels among the generation Baby Boomers
When using artificial intelligence, older generations report largely positive interactions, especially for work (84%), learning (83%) and creative activities (80%). The main use situation is learning, indicated by 79% of respondents who have used AI tools. 44% want easy-to-use resources or guides, while 32% prefer online training courses offered by AI solution providers. The desire for independent learning is evident, but so is the need for better support systems. However, impediments persist, such as data privacy fears, cited by 411TPTP3T of respondents. In terms of literacy levels, 801TPTP3T of respondents believe that „not everything generated by AI has been checked to ensure the veracity of the information”, indicating a healthy level of skepticism about the results.
The economic imperative
For companies, this situation represents a significant and underexploited market. Older generations constitute a large and growing demographic segment with diverse needs and increasing digital engagement. Organizations that invest in age-inclusive design, offer clear onboarding processes, and ensure transparent data governance will build trusting relationships with this valuable customer group. This new research shows that professionally active individuals use artificial intelligence three times more than those who are retired, highlighting that the workplace remains an essential avenue for AI adoption, including among older generations. This suggests that individuals who left the workforce before the widespread emergence of AI tools are a priority group for assistance.
Facilitating AI adoption among the younger generation Baby Boomers through education
Through coordinated actions, policymakers and educators have the opportunity to create accessible learning paths in artificial intelligence via libraries, community centers, and adult education programs. Companies can prioritize accessibility and clarity in AI product development. Meanwhile, older generations should be encouraged to use trustworthy resources and experiment with age-appropriate tools.
EY addresses this need through pilot programs conducted with organizations like Arist, a technology platform specializing in providing accessible and applied content for developing artificial intelligence skills, through various tools, including instant messaging. The course emphasizes supporting participants in easily using artificial intelligence in their daily lives, including using basic AI tools to improve communication with loved ones, simplify everyday activities such as managing finances and health, and explore applications related to hobbies and areas of interest. The initial pilot program will be launched in Germany and Indonesia in mid-2026.
„Older adults are increasingly integrating technology and artificial intelligence into their lives in ways that meet their specific needs and preferences. Through our program, Senior Planet, we offer free AI classes for older adults, and these are consistently among our most sought-after programs. The data in this report is clear: when it comes to AI, older adults are curious and want to learn more.”“said Alex Glazebrook, vice president of commercial operations for the AARP's OATS organization.
