Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than many users realize and seniors are already interacting with it each day. As AI becomes more central to banking, communication and personal safety, older adults benefit from understanding how it works and how it can protect them from digital scams.
A human moment
I teach technology awareness classes for seniors in my community. They display humility when asking questions about technology and how it impacts them at their stage in life. A woman in her mid-70s told me when she first heard the term “artificial intelligence,” she assumed it belonged in a science lab rather than in her home — unaware she had already been using AI regularly. She checks her bank balance, scrolls through Facebook, purchases items on Amazon and texts her family. These everyday actions rely on AI tools which run quietly in the background.
After hearing this, I took the opportunity to share how caution is needed online, especially when accessing online bank accounts on public Wi-Fi.
Where seniors already encounter AI
In technology workshops for senior citizens, we often discuss how rapidly technology evolves and how AI is used now in many familiar tools. Banks use it to flag suspicious transactions. Email services filter spam and unsafe links. Gmail’s automatic sorting of messages into categories is yet another example of machine-learning models operating discreetly behind the scenes.
Gmail analyzes who the messages are from, how they are written, the language the emails contain and how users are interacting with similar emails to decide which category they fit into. The system does not “think” the way humans do, but it learns from large datasets to improve accuracy over time. Even though Google does not brand these systems as AI, the underlying mechanisms are sophisticated classification models that adapt to user patterns the longer they are used.
Smartphones rely on similar tools. Predictive text tries to finish the sentence by anticipating what one intends to type. Autocorrect cleans up spelling and some grammar errors. These two AI features find their strength from specific types of machine-learning models trained on large datasets.
Have you ever sent a message using the predictive text feature on your cell phone that functioned as if it had a mind of its own? I eventually disabled predictive text on my device since I have spent more time correcting the suggestions than accepting them, a reminder the model’s training still shapes its output. Many users also experienced autocorrect choosing a word that does not match their intent, which means they probably rejected a correction. The AI system is alert to the frequency of rejecting and accepting a correction.
Facial recognition tools in smartphone photo libraries use a type of AI called computer-vision models that can detect individuals, group photos and facial patterns (including distances between features). Social media platforms depend on AI as well. Their systems analyze sizable volumes of posts, videos, clicks and interactions to determine what content appears in a user’s feed.
When was the last time you browsed specific content online and then wondered how that same category of content flooded your social media feed or an online shopping platform? A woman around the age of 70 recently shared how “Amazon suspiciously tells me what I might like to buy, but how did it know? I think that’s weird.” Her concern opened a helpful discussion about Amazon’s technology behind the scenes (aka machine-learning models) which use previous searches to predict possible interests, something many users experience without realizing it. For example, Amazon suggests deals you might like that are picked just for you, based on your search patterns.
What I see in the field
Older adults at a recent technology event were divided on whether they wanted to learn more about AI. Some were eager to explore it, while others felt it was too complex or overwhelming to approach. That divide is what motivates me to support seniors in building confidence with emerging technology. Many already rely on AI-driven tools in their phones and devices without realizing it, which means the foundation is already present. Helping them recognize this connection opens the door to a more empowered and informed use of technology.
As a researcher and educator who collaborates with adult learners, I frequently meet seniors who describe AI as intimidating, unnecessary or too difficult to understand, while others approach it with caution and curiosity. In the workshops I lead on smartphone features, online safety, phishing awareness and secure browsing, I see how their confidence grows when information is presented in clear, incremental steps. Concepts broken down into bite-sized chunks of data, linked to what they already know, help dismantle the idea AI sits outside their everyday experience. The barrier is not capability. It is unfamiliarity.
Why learning matters
Scams targeting seniors continue to rise and exploit uncertainty around technology. Spotting suspicious messages, unusual account activity or false alerts requires a basic level of digital awareness. When seniors understand how AI is utilized in everyday tools, they are better equipped to notice when something feels off, ask informed questions and protect their personal information.
This type of foundational knowledge is not solely about mastering complex systems. It is about building enough familiarity to navigate daily life with clarity and confidence.
A path forward
AI is now a part of how we communicate, protect our finances and stay safe online. Seniors do not need technical depth to keep pace. They benefit most from approachable education, steady practice and guidance from community programs, family members and other trusted sources.
Here is an abbreviated sampling of resourceful information I shared with my technology class for seniors a few weeks ago about AI. You can also think of it as trying a few sips at a wine tasting to get a sense of the flavor without needing the whole bottle to know what the wine tastes like.
First sip: already using AI.
You talk to Siri or Alexa, get Netflix suggestions, rely on GPS to get around town or have a phone that sorts photos for you. Those little conveniences are AI in the background, helping out.
Next sip: AI learning.
It studies examples, notices patterns and takes its best guess with new situations. AI is not magic, but it is practice.
Another taste: AI in daily life, more than people realize.
From early illness detection to cars that warn you of danger, from budgeting apps to translation tools. Much of it is designed to make daily life a bit smoother.
A reality check: AI imperfection.
It can be wrong and does not think or feel (at least not yet!). It needs clear information from people to do useful work.
A cautionary sip: stay alert.
AI can sound confident even when it is incorrect. Scammers have learned to mimic voices and trick you into thinking a loved one is in need. Photo tools can misread older faces. Awareness goes a long way.
Final taste: common sense.
AI is a tool, not a truth teller. I sometimes show my students this quick exercise: ask an AI tool for a fun fact about bowling. Then reply, “I don’t know if that’s accurate or true.” You will notice the tool explains how to check information rather than insisting it is right. That is your reminder to decide what is true by verifying the information through solid sources.
Learning the basics, asking questions and experimenting with the tools already present are small yet meaningful steps toward digital confidence. This is more than a skill-building effort. It is a practical way to stay informed, safe and connected in a world where technology continues to shape everyday experiences.
Featured image: Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash
Edited by James Sutton
