Older adults are increasingly encountering artificial intelligence in everyday services while cautiously approaching newer tools like QR codes, creating both opportunities for connection and growing concerns about online safety.
At a recent technology event designed for senior citizens, participants explored how digital tools are shaping daily life, from accessing medical records to managing finances, even as many remain selective about how quickly they adopt newer technologies.
AI is already part of daily life
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is not a future concept for most older adults. It is already embedded in routine activities.
Health portals suggest appointments and organize patient information. Banks flag suspicious transactions. Smartphones use facial recognition, predictive text and voice assistants to simplify everyday tasks.
Many seniors may not identify these tools as AI, though they are already relying on them. That distinction matters. Seniors are learning about technology, including smartphones and other devices, at a pace that reflects their individual comfort levels. This growing understanding enables them to access information and manage daily life more effectively.
Not all seniors are embracing new tools; that is OK
While AI operates quietly in the background, more visible technologies like QR codes are being met with mixed reactions, and rightfully so. Scams targeting senior citizens have been on the rise, often creating a false sense of urgency that pressures adults to act quickly and, in some cases, lose thousands of dollars from bank accounts and retirement savings.
This is one of the primary reasons why learning opportunities surrounding technology are essential for seniors. They could benefit from learning how to navigate technology as both digital tools and related scams continue to grow. Preparing older adults to navigate increasingly common technologies, including QR codes, is not simply about implementation but about building the knowledge and confidence needed to engage safely and effectively.
QR stands for “Quick Response,” referring to a type of square barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone or tablet camera to instantly open a website or online forms related to health data, for example.
For some older adults, the appeal is clear. QR codes eliminate the need to type lengthy web addresses and can simplify access to information. For others, concerns about scams or unfamiliar technology lead to hesitation rooted in caution.
In many cases, seniors are making deliberate decisions about what technologies to adopt and how to approach them.
A generational shift driven by smartphones, family connections
Smartphones and technology use are increasing and not by accident. Worldmetrics projected 85% of seniors owned a smartphone in 2025, which increased from 68% in 2021. “24% of adults aged 65+ used telehealth services, up from 12% in 2020,” the first COVID-19 year.
More seniors are using smartphones than ever before and with that comes a growing interest in learning how to use them more effectively. Communication is a major driver.
Older adults are not learning technology solely for its own sake. They are learning about it to stay connected with children and grandchildren, participate in group texts, share photos, engage in video calls and access family information and updates.
This motivation changes the learning dynamic as technology becomes less abstract and more relational. Workshops and community events are increasingly responding to this shift by focusing not only on how tools work, but also on why they matter in everyday life.
Photo by Federal Trade Commission
Convenience comes with risk
As access increases, so do vulnerabilities.
Fraud involving digital tools continues to rise, particularly targeting older adults. The Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly reported older Americans lose billions of dollars annually to scams, many of which now involve digital access such as links, emails and QR codes. An October 2024 report by the FTC reported a $1.9 billion loss to seniors due to scams in 2023, though actual total losses may be as high as an estimated $61 billion.
QR codes, while widely used in legitimate settings like restaurants, pharmacies and medical offices, can also be manipulated. Fraudulent codes placed over legitimate ones can redirect users to malicious websites designed to collect personal information.
Similarly, AI tools, while useful, are fallible. They can generate incorrect or misleading information, especially in areas involving health or finances. The risk may not be in the technology itself, but in how it is used.
Teaching confidence without fear
One of the main challenges in digital education for seniors is balancing awareness with confidence. Learning about QR codes can cause trepidation, perhaps based on knowledge, motor skills or both. This is precisely why seniors should learn about the latest developments as technology grows.
QR codes are becoming increasingly prevalent and are useful for accessing health, travel and dining information. MyQRCode suggests “62% of seniors find QR codes beneficial” to access needed data, a trend that is “supported by a 28% increase in the adoption of QR technology by this demographic over the last two years.”
At the March tech event I conducted, the emphasis was not on avoiding technology but embracing it and using it wisely. Guests were encouraged to recognize how AI is used in everyday life, identify misleading information, and confidently use QR codes. Equally important, they were reminded that they remain in control; technology can be approached with curiosity, questioned thoughtfully, and adopted at a pace that feels comfortable.
That message resonated.
A growing need for practical digital literacy
The broader issue extends beyond any single technology tool. As more services move online, digital literacy is no longer optional. It is becoming a basic requirement for managing health, finances and communication. The pace of technological change may not always align with the support many older adults receive. However, this concept is growing.
Community-based education efforts, like tech events, are designed for senior citizens. These efforts help close the gap between seniors and technology by offering practical, relevant instruction grounded in real-world use by meeting them where they are.
Cautious embracing, not reluctance
The narrative surrounding older adults and technology is often oversimplified. Seniors are neither uniformly resistant nor universally eager to adopt every new tool. Instead, what is emerging is a pattern of selective, thoughtful engagement. This is where targeted education plays a critical role. Seniors want to know whether a technology tool is useful, safe and capable of helping them stay connected. These considerations ultimately shape how and when learning occurs.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily systems and QR codes become more common in public and private spaces, the need for clear, accessible education will continue to grow. For many older adults, the goal is not to master every new technology. It is to use the right ones, safely and confidently, in ways that support their independence and connection to others.
Look for more information to come in a future article dedicated to seniors and QR codes.
Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
Edited by James Sutton
